Why levy property tax during lockdown, asks mall owner

Petitioner allowed to move court if BBMP takes any coercive action for non-payment

The owner of a mall in the city has moved the High Court of Karnataka questioning the levy and demand for payment of property tax on malls even during the lockdown when the malls were compulsorily asked to shut all their business activities. G.T. Cinemas Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, which has built and operating ‘G.T. World Mall’ has sought a direction to the State government and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) not to demand and collect property tax for the period when the mall was asked to close down in view of the lockdown. Justice M. Nagaprasanna, before whom the petition came up for hearing, adjourned further hearing till August 27 after ordering issue of notice to the government and the BBMP.