Sealed again! Mantri Mall shuts once more over property tax default in Bengaluru

New Delhi: Mantri Mall, one of the most popular and prestigious malls in Bengaluru, has once again been sealed by the authorities due to non-payment of property tax. The mall has faced repeated action over the years for failing to clear massive tax dues amounting to several crores of rupees.

According to officials, the latest outstanding amount exceeds Rs 30 crore. Early this morning, BBMP officials arrived at the premises, issued a notice to the management, and sealed the mall over an unpaid tax amount of Rs 30,81,45,600. The sudden closure has caused anxiety among the mall staff, many of whom were caught off guard by the lock-up. Meanwhile, marshals and police personnel have been deployed around the mall to prevent any disruption.

Also Read

Delhi–NCR records robust jump in rental housing market amid nationwide slowdown

How Karnataka’s new IT City will reshape Bengaluru’s tech future: All you need to know

Cyberabad Police issue public advisory on winter fog as temperature drops in the city

This is not the first time Mantri Mall has been locked over tax-related issues. For several years, it has been repeatedly sealed because of non-payment of dues. In 2020, the BBMP shut down the mall after it failed to pay property tax amounting to Rs 42,63,40,874. To make matters worse, a cheque for Rs 10 crore issued by the mall to the BBMP bounced, prompting strict action. Even after repeated reminders and notices, the mall administration did not take steps to clear the massive dues.

A similar situation unfolded in 2021, when authorities issued another warning that the property would be confiscated due to an unpaid property tax amount of Rs 20,33,34,828. Despite the warning, the dues were not settled. In 2023, after arrears rose to around Rs 32 crore, the corporation allowed the mall a one-time settlement plan in an attempt to resolve the issue. However, the payment still remained pending, leading to another closure.

The problem persisted in 2024, when the mall once again defaulted and accumulated arrears of nearly ₹50 crore. Frustrated by the repeated violations, BBMP officials suspended Mantri Mall’s license and seized the property that year as well. Yet, despite multiple opportunities and repeated enforcement actions, the dues continued to remain unpaid.

Now, in 2025, the mall has been sealed once again due to the unresolved property tax issues. The repeated closures have raised serious questions about the mall’s financial management, its ability to comply with municipal regulations, and the ongoing challenges it faces in sustaining operations. With strict enforcement underway and massive dues still pending, the future of Mantri Mall remains uncertain.

Mantri Mall is being sealed repeatedly because its management has consistently failed to clear massive property tax dues despite multiple notices and warnings from the BBMP. Every year, the unpaid amount runs into tens of crores, and even after opportunities such as one-time settlement offers, the mall has not settled its arrears. This persistent non-payment, along with past issues like bounced cheques and missed deadlines, has forced authorities to repeatedly lock and seize the mall to enforce compliance.