On Monday (8th April),Calcutta High Court Mandates Suspension of KMC Officials Following Garden Reach Building Collapse
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KOLKATA: On Monday (8th April), the Calcutta High Court mandated the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to take strict action, including the suspension of officials implicated in the catastrophic collapse of an illegal building in the Garden Reach area of Kolkata, which tragically resulted in the loss of 12 innocent lives.
The court’s ruling is based on the evident implication of KMC members in the incident, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive inquiry into the “involvement of KMC members in the offense.” Consequently, it urges the police to integrate this critical aspect into their ongoing investigation.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi, heading the division bench, clearly expressed the court’s stance on pursuing additional legal measures, including the potential engagement of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), if the local police’s inquiry fails to meet the criteria of genuine diligence and transparency, particularly in revealing the “public servants who seem to be conveniently inactive.” The directive for action includes not only suspension but also disciplinary actions against those found at fault, in accordance with legal regulations.
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The early morning incident on March 18, where a five-story building in Kolkata’s Garden Reach area, deemed illegal, collapsed, causing death and injury. The calamity prompted immediate judicial scrutiny, leading to this landmark directive.
During the judicial proceedings, Advocate General Kishore Dutta, representing the West Bengal government, and the KMC submitted reports outlining the steps taken post-tragedy, including the investigation’s progress and rehabilitation measures for the victims. The state’s report confirmed the arrest of the building’s promoter and subsequent efforts to apprehend other culprits.
The court critically observed the rampant unauthorized construction activities, pointing to a blatant disregard for statutory duties by KMC officers, who “turned a blind eye” to the unlawful actions of owners and promoters. This observation underpins the directive for the KMC to issue show-cause notices to the officers responsible for overseeing the illicit construction activities in the area, emphasizing accountability and the need for a thorough investigation into the facilitators of these illegal acts.
Justice Bagchi’s direct questioning of the KMC’s legal representation regarding the possibility of praising officers for their silence on the illegal constructions highlights the seriousness with which the court regards the negligence that resulted in this tragedy.
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The judicial bench, including Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, demonstrated its resolve to ensure justice is served, stating that-
“when individuals have lost their lives in the collapse of an illegal building, there must be consequences.”