BJP MLA files complaint against Kolkata Durga Puja panel over land grab at Tala Gymkhana
Synopsis
A BJP legislator has filed an FIR invoking organised crime provisions against one of north Kolkata's most celebrated Durga Puja committees, alleging it has illegally occupied two bighas of KMC land at the Tala Gymkhana ground since 2018, demolished boundary walls, and blocked public access — a confrontation that blends civic governance, political rivalry, and community identity ahead of the puja season.
Key Takeaways
BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari filed an FIR at Tala Police Station on 1 July 2025 against the Tala Pratyay Durgotsav Committee .
The complaint alleges illegal occupation of approximately two bighas of KMC -owned land at the Tala Gymkhana ground since 2018 .
Around 200 feet of boundary wall, an iron gate, and metal grillwork were allegedly demolished by the committee.
Tiwari has invoked Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) , alleging organised criminal activity.
Electricity was allegedly obtained fraudulently from CESC using the address of a Ward No.
5 plot allotted to Calcutta Rescue .
Local residents and children reportedly have no access to the ground due to year-round storage of structures on the premises.
Kashipur-Belgachhia Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Ritesh Tiwari has filed a formal complaint at Tala Police Station in north Kolkata against the Tala Pratyay Durgotsav Committee, alleging illegal occupation of approximately two bighas of land at the Tala Gymkhana ground and wilful destruction of property belonging to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged on 1 July 2025, naming puja committee official Dhrubajyoti Basu, also known as Shubho, and his associates.
Key Allegations in the Complaint
According to the complaint filed by MLA Ritesh Tiwari, the Tala Pratyay Durgotsav Committee has allegedly been occupying the KMC-owned Tala Gymkhana ground without authorisation since 2018. Tiwari further alleged that approximately 200 feet of the compound's boundary wall, along with a large iron gate and metal grillwork, have been demolished. A clubhouse has reportedly been constructed on a small public park within the premises.
The MLA also alleged that electrical connections were fraudulently obtained from the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) in the name of the Tala Park Association. The address cited for the connection is, according to the complaint, a vacant plot in Ward No. 5 of the KMC that had been allotted to a voluntary organisation called Calcutta Rescue.
Organised Crime Angle Invoked
In a significant legal escalation, Tiwari has claimed that the alleged acts constitute organised crime or the activities of an organised crime syndicate under Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The invocation of this provision — typically reserved for structured criminal enterprises — signals that the BJP legislator is seeking a more serious investigative response than a routine encroachment complaint would ordinarily attract.
Impact on Local Residents
The complaint further alleges that structures and materials belonging to the committee are stored on a large portion of the ground throughout the year, effectively blocking public access. Children and local residents reportedly have no usable space for recreation as a result. Critics argue that if the allegations are verified, it represents a sustained misuse of civic infrastructure over several years.
Background and Context
The Tala Pratyay Club's annual Durga Puja is among the most prominent community celebrations in north Kolkata, drawing large crowds each year. This complaint comes ahead of the 2025 Durga Puja season and marks a direct political confrontation between the BJP legislator and a puja committee with deep community ties in the area. The Tala Gymkhana ground is KMC-owned public land, making the alleged encroachment a civic governance matter as much as a legal one. The police are yet to publicly confirm the status of the investigation.
Point of View
Particularly given that Durga Puja committees in West Bengal carry enormous community influence and, often, political patronage. If the allegations of a seven-year encroachment on KMC land are accurate, the more uncomfortable question is why the civic body itself did not act. The KMC's silence on its own property being allegedly occupied since 2018 is as telling as the FIR itself.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the complaint filed by BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari about?
BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari has filed an FIR at Tala Police Station in north Kolkata alleging that the Tala Pratyay Durgotsav Committee illegally occupied around two bighas of KMC-owned land at the Tala Gymkhana ground since 2018, demolished boundary walls, and fraudulently obtained electricity connections.
Who has been named in the FIR?
Puja committee official Dhrubajyoti Basu, also known as Shubho, and his associates have been named in the complaint lodged on 1 July 2025.
What legal provision has the MLA invoked?
Tiwari has invoked Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to organised crime and the activities of an organised crime syndicate — a provision that significantly raises the legal stakes of the complaint.
How has the alleged encroachment affected local residents?
According to the complaint, structures and materials are stored on a large portion of the Tala Gymkhana ground throughout the year, leaving children and local residents with no usable recreational space.
What is the Tala Pratyay Club known for?
The Tala Pratyay Club organises one of north Kolkata's most popular and widely attended annual Durga Puja celebrations, making the complaint politically and socially significant ahead of the 2025 puja season.
