Bengaluru: The Division Bench, comprising acting Chief Justice H.G. Ramesh and Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar, said government officials fail to respond to petitions in hundreds of cases and act only when faced with the threat of jail for contempt of court.

The Division Bench made these oral observations when a government advocate sought time to get instructions from the jurisdictional officials during a PIL petition related to encroachment of public land.

Annoyed with frequent requests sought on behalf of the State government and its agencies for adjourning hearing in a large number of petitions, the Bench observed that every time government advocates seek two weeks or four weeks to respond to the petitions.

When the counsel for the petitioner sought a direction to the authorities to disconnect power supply to illegally constructed buildings, the Bench asked what action could be expected when the bureaucracy has become incompetent.

The Bench disposed of the petition directing the Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) of Kolnad Gram Panchayat to take necessary action by taking the help of the police, if necessary. The court gave liberty to initiate contempt of court action if the authorities fail to take any action.