Calcutta HC Issues Warning to Bengal Police Regarding CAPF Involvement for Demolition
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Synopsis
The Calcutta High Court cautions Kolkata Municipal Corporation about summoning Central Armed Police Forces for demolishing illegal constructions, emphasizing the need for cooperation from state police. A deadline has been set for action, or CAPF will be called upon to ensure compliance.
Key Takeaways
- Calcutta High Court warns KMC about illegal constructions.
- CAPF may be summoned if KMC fails to act.
- March 10 set as deadline for demolition efforts.
- Concerns over KMC's cooperation with Kolkata Police.
- BJP highlights law and order issues in Bengal.
Kolkata, Feb 10 (NationPress) A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Monday issued a warning to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) about the potential need to call upon the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to execute the demolition of illegal constructions in the city should the municipal authorities fail to act with the help of state police.
The bench, led by Justice Amrita Sinha, established a deadline for this operation. Should the deadline lapse without action, the court will delegate the responsibility of demolishing the illegal structure to the central forces.
The illegal construction in question comprises a five-storey building located in Narkeldanga, North Kolkata. Although KMC officials have deemed the construction illegal, issued a demolition order, and secured a court ruling on the issue, the demolition process has yet to commence for reasons that remain unclear.
This case was presented before Justice Sinha's bench, where she set March 10 as the deadline for KMC to facilitate the demolition of the building with the aid of state police. If this is not achieved, CAPF will be enlisted.
Justice Sinha's remarks stemmed from grievances expressed by KMC officials about the lack of necessary support from Kolkata Police in executing the demolition of the illegal structure. KMC also informed the court that absent police assistance, their personnel are unable to clear the building of its occupants and initiate the demolition.
Justice Sinha emphasized that since KMC had issued the demolition notice, they are responsible for the execution. She stated, “If cooperation from the city police is absent, there will be no alternative but to enlist the aid of central forces to guarantee the demolition.”
The opposition BJP asserted that this entire scenario underscores the state of law and order in Bengal, where the involvement of CAPF is deemed necessary to facilitate the demolition of an illegal structure, despite the order being issued by a state government autonomous body.
