Suvendu Adhikari orders humane approach to illegal demolitions in Kolkata
Synopsis
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari has reined in the KMC after residents in Tiljala and Topsia were given inadequate notice before demolitions began — and the Calcutta High Court issued an interim stay. The episode reveals a tension between the government's zero-tolerance stance on illegal construction and its obligation to follow due process, with the courts now watching closely.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari directed KMC officials on 1 June to ensure due process and humane treatment before demolishing illegal constructions.
The Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction at a Borough-9, Alipore meeting over inadequate notice given to residents in Tiljala and Topsia before demolitions.
An explanation has been sought from Building Department Director General Ujjwal Sarkar .
The Calcutta High Court issued an interim stay on the demolition notice, ruling that due process must be followed even for illegal structures.
The directive applies to the entire city of Kolkata , not just the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency.
Authorities have been instructed to increase surveillance and serve timely notices from the initial stages of construction activity.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials to ensure adequate notice and due process are followed before demolishing any illegal construction, a government official said on Monday, 1 June. The directive came after the Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction over how recent demolitions in the Tiljala and Topsia areas were handled.
Key Developments
Adhikari chaired a meeting with officials of Borough-9 in the Alipore area on Saturday, where he reportedly raised pointed questions about the adequacy of notices issued and adherence to legal procedure before demolition work commenced. According to KMC sources, residents were given very little time to vacate their homes before demolition began — a process the Chief Minister described as falling short of the required humane and legal standard.
An explanation has also been sought from Ujjwal Sarkar, Director General of the Building Department, according to KMC sources.
Calcutta High Court Intervenes
The Calcutta High Court has issued an interim stay on the demolition notice, reinforcing the administration's obligation to follow due process. The court observed that even where a construction is illegal, a specific legal procedure — including issuance of proper notice, an opportunity for the concerned parties to present their views, and the legally prescribed time period — must be followed before any demolition is carried out. The administration, the court said, cannot take unilateral action bypassing these steps.
The High Court's intervention has prompted fresh discussions within the administration on how to proceed.
What the Chief Minister Said
Adhikari made clear that the government has no objection to strict action against illegal constructions, but stressed that such action must comply with the law and be carried out with a humane approach. He specifically cautioned against situations where families are suddenly evicted or structures razed without adequate warning.
The Chief Minister also warned that illegal construction will not be tolerated going forward, and directed authorities to increase surveillance, conduct regular inspections, and serve timely notices from the earliest stages of any construction activity.
Citywide Applicability
Adhikari clarified that the directive is not limited to the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency but applies across the entire city of Kolkata. Officials believe this signals a shift toward a more comprehensive, legally compliant administrative framework for tackling unauthorised construction across the metropolis.
With the High Court's stay in place and fresh administrative guidelines being formulated, all eyes are now on how the KMC implements the Chief Minister's directions in the coming weeks.
Point of View
Only for courts to step in. Adhikari's rebuke of his own civic machinery is notable, but the structural problem — KMC's track record of issuing inadequate notices — predates this incident. The Calcutta High Court's intervention is a reminder that the rule of law applies even to illegal structures. Whether this leads to a genuine process overhaul or merely a temporary slowdown in demolitions will be the real test of the Chief Minister's directive.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari say about illegal construction demolitions in Kolkata?
Adhikari directed KMC officials to follow due legal process and maintain a humane approach before demolishing any illegal construction. He said families must be given sufficient notice and time, and warned that unilateral or abrupt demolitions are unacceptable.
Why did the Calcutta High Court issue a stay on the demolition notice?
The Calcutta High Court issued an interim stay after observing that even illegal constructions require a specific legal process before demolition — including proper notice, an opportunity to present views, and the legally prescribed time. The court ruled the administration cannot act unilaterally without following these steps.
Which areas in Kolkata were at the centre of the demolition controversy?
The controversy centred on demolitions in the Tiljala and Topsia areas of Kolkata, where residents were reportedly given very little time to vacate before KMC began demolition work.
Who has been asked to explain the demolition process?
An explanation has been sought from Ujjwal Sarkar , Director General of the Building Department at KMC, according to KMC sources.
Does Adhikari's directive apply only to Bhabanipur constituency?
No. The Chief Minister clarified at the Borough-9 meeting that the directive applies to the entire city of Kolkata, not just the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency.
