Today(on 25th April), The Calcutta High Court, under Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, admonishes both Kolkata Municipality and the state administration for their handling of the prevalent issue of illegal construction in the city.
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KOLKATA: Today(on 25th April), The Calcutta High Court has delivered a scathing reprimand to the Kolkata Municipality regarding the rampant issue of illegal construction in the city. In a public interest litigation hearing on Thursday, a division bench of the High Court, led by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, expressed its displeasure with both the municipal authorities and the state administration.
The Chief Justice emphasized that combating illegal construction requires not only administrative will but also political will. The court session witnessed a noteworthy exchange between the Chief Justice and the counsel of the Kolkata Municipality.
“Reviewing the document, everything appears satisfactory. While rules exist, they seem ineffective. Officials shouldn’t feel restricted; they should have flexibility. Both administrative and political will are necessary for effective action.”
– remarked the Chief Justice to the counsel of the Kolkata Municipality, emphasizing the need for proactive measures.
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In an analogy highlighting the severity of the situation, he remarked-
“Surgery is successful but the patient is dead.”
The impetus for this reprimand stems from a tragic incident that occurred in Gardenreach on March 17, where an under-construction five-storey high-rise collapsed onto a neighboring shanty. This devastating event claimed the lives of thirteen individuals. In the aftermath of the incident, the city administration of Kolkata faced substantial criticism.
Mayor Firhad Hakim, who also serves as the MLA of the area, conceded that the high-rise had been constructed illegally. The municipality initiated a departmental investigation against three engineers involved in the project.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice addressed the municipal council, expressing his dismay-
“Despite the presence of a hawker right outside your office, you seem incapable of resolving the issue. Yet, you claim to possess profound knowledge of the law? This is, without a doubt, an unfortunate state of affairs.”
The Chief Justice further expressed his frustration that despite orders to demolish houses in Bidhannagar, many of them remained standing. This case is not the first instance in which the Chief Justice has criticized the Kolkata Municipality for its handling of illegal construction.
With a tone of exasperation, the Chief Justice warned-
“Without determination, illegal construction will recur, resulting in further loss of life and subsequent compensation. Without resolve, efforts will be futile.”
In response to the high-rise collapse in Gardenreach, a division bench comprising the Chief Justice and Justice Hiranmoy Bhattacharya issued an order for Rs 5 lakh compensation to be awarded to the victims’ families and Rs 1.5 lakh to the injured individuals.
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