Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to inform it within seven days, supported by documentary evidence, about the specific locations of any unauthorised structures at the residence of Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee and the premises of his company, Leaps and Bounds.
Justice Smita Das De issued the directive to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation during the hearing of the matter on Wednesday.
The court specifically stated that the KMC must submit a detailed report specifying the exact nature and location of any deviations found at Abhishek Banerjee’s residence, as well as the extent of such deviations or unauthorised constructions in relation to the total built-up area of the property.
The court has set a deadline of seven days for the submission of the report.
Along with the KMC report, the judge has directed that the property owners should also place their views on record. The property owners will have to respond to questions on whether there is any illegal portion of the property and, if so, to what extent, within two weeks.
Following this order of the High Court, fresh discussions have started in political and administrative circles on the issue.
The court said that the next hearing in the matter will be held after four weeks. The Calcutta High Court will take the next step based on the report received from the civic body and the submissions made by the property owners.
All parties are awaiting the court’s observations and further orders in the matter.
Trinamool Congress General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee’s father, Amit Banerjee, and mother, Lata Banerjee, had approached the Calcutta High Court claiming that the house at 29-C, Harish Chatterjee Street in Kolkata was built legally.
The Banerjee couple have filed a case seeking the dismissal of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s notice. According to them, the civic body issued a notice regarding illegal construction on a legally constructed house.
Recently, notices were sent by the KMC to multiple addresses linked to Abhishek Banerjee.
Meanwhile, about a week ago, Abhishek’s firm, Leaps and Bounds, sought a 10-day extension from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. A letter to this effect was submitted to the Corporation’s Building Department.
In the letter, the firm stated its readiness to provide all information regarding the properties for which the KMC had sought details. However, it requested additional time to do so. The firm assured the Corporation that once granted adequate time, it would furnish all the requisite documents and information.
Notably, the Corporation recently issued multiple notices to Abhishek’s firm. This action was primarily initiated regarding properties registered in his name and that of his firm located along Kalighat Road and Harish Mukherjee Road in Kolkata.
According to municipal sources, notices were issued under Section 401 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, directing the submission of approved building plans, construction-related documents and permits for any additional construction pertaining to the properties in question.
Allegations suggest that an investigation is currently underway to determine whether, in certain instances, construction has been carried out in deviation from the approved building plans.
While initial reports focused on notices issued regarding two specific properties, various media outlets subsequently claimed that notices had, in fact, been issued concerning a total of 17 properties.
It was further alleged that the list includes certain properties registered in the names of Abhishek Banerjee’s relatives.
(IANS)
