Bengaluru, July 17 -- The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed traders occupying alleged encroachments on the footpath beneath the Mysuru Road flyover near KR Market to vacate the premises and hand over possession to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) within two weeks.

Hearing petitions filed by Samuel and other traders challenging the GBA's recent demolition drive, Justice B.M. Shyam Prasad observed that if the encroachers failed to vacate within the stipulated period, the authority would be at liberty to demolish the structures without further obstruction. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing.

Appearing for the state, government counsel submitted that the BBMP had never issued valid licences to the petitioners and t...