The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken decisive action by locking the popular Mantri Square mall, located in Malleswaram, due to the mall’s failure to clear outstanding tax arrears.

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The BBMP had previously issued multiple notices to Mantri Square, urging the mall’s management to settle its tax arrears. However, these appeals fell on deaf ears as the mall failed to respond to the Palike’s directives. This lack of cooperation eventually prompted the BBMP to escalate its actions, resulting in the physical closure of the Mantri Square mall.

Source: The New Indian Express

The outstanding tax dues, totaling Rs 51 crore, have been a longstanding concern for the BBMP. Despite the severity of the situation, the mall management had not taken the necessary steps to clear the arrears, leading to the municipality’s decisive intervention. The BBMP’s revenue division staff executed the closure on Wednesday, emphasizing the gravity of non-compliance with tax obligations.

The main gate of the Mantri Square mall was locked, and a notice was prominently displayed outside, notifying the public and the mall’s stakeholders of the closure. The notice explicitly states that the property will remain inaccessible until the entire outstanding tax amount is settled. This move serves as a stern reminder that all entities, regardless of their stature, are obligated to fulfill their tax responsibilities to the municipal authorities.

Source: Vartha Bharthi

The closure of Mantri Square mall underscores the BBMP’s commitment to enforcing tax compliance and ensuring that businesses contribute their fair share to the community’s development. The municipality’s action sends a strong message to other establishments that may be inclined to neglect their tax obligations. It emphasizes the importance of timely and responsible payment of taxes, as failure to do so can result in severe consequences, including temporary closure.