Overview

• A Bengaluru resident has paid Rs 24,000 in fines over eight months for refusing to remove a shoe rack from a shared corridor, violating society rules.
• The resident prepaid Rs 15,000 in fines early on, treating it as a 'prepaid fine' to keep the rack in place despite repeated requests for removal.
• The Residents’ Association is now preparing to double the daily fine from Rs 100 to Rs 200 to enforce compliance with fire safety regulations.
• Society bylaws prohibit personal items like shoe racks in common areas to maintain clear emergency pathways, as per fire safety guidelines.
• The dispute has polarized the community, with some residents viewing the defiance as rule-breaking and others as a stand for individual freedom.