Calcutta HC schedules urgent Sunday hearing on Abhishek Banerjee's Amtala office demolition
Synopsis
Despite a court holiday, the Calcutta High Court convened an urgent Sunday hearing after TMC's Abhishek Banerjee challenged the demolition of his five-storey party office at Amtala. With the district administration citing unanswered notices and BJP alleging criminal links, the case has become a flashpoint in West Bengal's post-election political reckoning.
Key Takeaways
Calcutta High Court scheduled an urgent hearing on Sunday, 19 July before Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury on a holiday.
Abhishek Banerjee , TMC general secretary and Lok Sabha MP, filed the petition challenging demolition of his five-storey party office at Amtala , South 24 Parganas .
Demolition began Saturday afternoon and continued into Sunday; district administration cited two unanswered notices dated 30 June and 7 July .
Banerjee said he would approach the Supreme Court if necessary.
BJP leaders alleged the office was linked to criminal elements and built on forcibly acquired land — allegations not yet adjudicated.
The Calcutta High Court has scheduled an urgent hearing on Sunday, 19 July, despite it being a court holiday, on a petition filed by All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee, challenging the demolition of his party office at Amtala in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. The matter will be heard before a single-judge bench of Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury in the second half of Sunday.
The Demolition: What Happened
The demolition of the five-storey TMC party office at Amtala commenced on Saturday afternoon and continued through Sunday morning. The South 24 Parganas district administration stated that two notices — issued on 30 June and 7 July — seeking clarification on alleged illegal construction went unanswered. The administration added that the respondent was required to appear before district officials on 15 July to offer clarifications, which they reportedly failed to do. Officials also claimed the building lacked a proper sanctioned construction plan.
Banerjee's Legal Push
Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, told reporters on Saturday that he had emailed the Office of the Special Duty (OSD) of the Calcutta High Court's Acting Chief Justice, attaching video footage of the demolition and requesting an urgent hearing. He stated that if required, he would escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.
BJP Allegations and Local Voices
Local residents and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that the demolished office served as an operational base for individuals they described as notorious criminals linked to the TMC's former dominance in South 24 Parganas, including a person identified as Jahangir Khan. They further alleged that the land on which the office stood was illegally and forcibly acquired from its original owner. These are allegations, and no judicial finding has been recorded on them.
Context and What Is at Stake
This episode comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal following the TMC's electoral setbacks in parts of South 24 Parganas. The demolition of a senior party leader's office by a district administration — now under a changed political landscape — signals an aggressive use of civic enforcement powers that critics argue is politically motivated. The TMC has denied that the construction was illegal. The outcome of Sunday's hearing before Justice Chowdhury could determine whether the demolition is stayed or allowed to proceed, and may set a precedent for similar enforcement actions in the state.
Point of View
With cameras rolling — is not routine civic enforcement. The timing, coming after TMC's political reverses in South 24 Parganas, invites scrutiny of whether building-violation rules are being applied selectively as a political instrument. Equally, the fact that two formal notices went unanswered is a procedural gap the court will examine closely. The BJP's framing of the office as a criminal hub adds a law-and-order dimension that could complicate TMC's legal argument. Whatever Justice Chowdhury decides on Sunday, the case is likely headed higher — and will test whether West Bengal's judiciary can hold the line between legitimate enforcement and political demolition.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Calcutta High Court hearing Abhishek Banerjee's petition on a Sunday?
The Calcutta High Court convened an urgent special sitting on Sunday, 19 July, despite it being a court holiday, after Abhishek Banerjee emailed the OSD of the Acting Chief Justice attaching demolition footage and requesting immediate relief. The matter is being heard before Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury's single-judge bench in the afternoon.
What is the Amtala party office demolition case about?
The South 24 Parganas district administration demolished a five-storey TMC party office at Amtala, claiming it was built without a proper sanctioned plan and that two notices — on 30 June and 7 July — seeking clarification on alleged illegal construction went unanswered. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee has challenged the demolition in the Calcutta High Court.
What did the district administration say about the demolition?
The administration stated that the party responsible for the building failed to appear before district officials on 15 July as required and did not respond to two prior notices. It said the structure lacked a valid building sanction plan, which it cited as legal grounds for demolition.
What has Abhishek Banerjee said about the demolition?
Abhishek Banerjee described the demolition as unlawful and told reporters he had approached the Calcutta High Court with video evidence. He also stated that if necessary, he would escalate the matter to the Supreme Court of India.
What are the BJP's allegations regarding the Amtala office?
BJP leaders and local residents alleged that the office was a base for individuals they described as criminals linked to the TMC's earlier dominance in South 24 Parganas, including a person named Jahangir Khan. They also alleged the land was illegally acquired from its original owner. These remain allegations and have not been established by any court.
