Calcutta HC backs KMC chairperson Mala Roy on monthly civic body meetings
Synopsis
The Calcutta High Court has stepped into one of Kolkata's sharpest civic standoffs in years, ruling that KMC Chairperson Mala Roy can convene monthly meetings under the Municipal Act. The verdict comes after the 22 May lockout of the meeting hall and amid speculation about the corporation's future under the new state dispensation.
Key Takeaways
The Calcutta High Court ruled on 3 June that KMC Chairperson Mala Roy can convene monthly meetings under the Municipal Act .
A division bench of Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya delivered the verdict.
The KMC must file an affidavit with the resolutions of its 22 May meeting by 9 June ; next hearing is on 17 June .
On 22 May , the KMC meeting hall remained locked despite Roy convening the session, with TMC councillors unable to enter.
Mayor Firhad Hakim called the lockout a 'black day' for the civic body.
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, 3 June, ruled that Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Chairperson Mala Roy is empowered to convene monthly meetings of the civic body in accordance with the Municipal Act. The verdict, delivered by a division bench of Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, comes amid a deepening standoff over the functioning of the KMC after a change in the state's administrative arrangements.
What the court ruled
The bench held that the Chairperson has clear statutory authority under the Municipal Act to call the corporation's monthly sittings. The KMC has also been directed to file an affidavit before the court containing a copy of the resolutions of its last monthly meeting held on 22 May. The affidavit must be submitted by 9 June, with the next hearing scheduled for 17 June.
How the dispute escalated
The petition was filed after the Chairperson's convening order was reportedly disregarded and no civic body meeting was held despite her summons. On 22 May, in an unusual sequence of events, the KMC meeting hall remained locked even after Roy had formally called the session. Trinamool Congress councillors who had gathered for the meeting were unable to enter, and Roy was forced to hold discussions outside the room.
Political fallout at the civic body
Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim termed the 22 May lockout a “black day” for the civic body, urging the state government to avoid confrontation and work in the interest of city residents. The case in the High Court followed shortly after. Notably, the Mayoral-in-Council meeting was cancelled soon after the change in government, and the KMC's monthly session was also ordered suspended. The state government has separately changed the secretary of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
Why the ruling matters
There had been speculation, according to local political observers, that the KMC could be dissolved following the change of government in the state. In that context, the High Court's order affirming the Chairperson's right to convene meetings carries added significance — it effectively reaffirms the statutory continuity of the civic body's decision-making process. This is among the first major judicial interventions into the KMC's internal functioning since the recent shift in the state's political arrangements.
What happens next
All eyes are now on the affidavit due by 9 June and the next hearing on 17 June, which is likely to shape how routinely the KMC can meet going forward. The outcome could set the tone for centre–state and state–civic body relations in West Bengal's capital in the coming months.
Point of View
The issue stops being political and becomes constitutional. The ruling reaffirms that statutory bodies cannot be paralysed by administrative manoeuvring — a principle that will be tested far beyond the KMC if state–civic frictions persist.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Calcutta High Court rule about the KMC Chairperson?
The Calcutta High Court ruled on 3 June that KMC Chairperson Mala Roy can convene monthly meetings of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation as per the Municipal Act. The verdict was delivered by a division bench of Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya.
Why was the case filed in the High Court?
The case was filed after no civic body meeting was held despite the Chairperson convening one. On 22 May, the KMC meeting hall remained locked and TMC councillors could not enter, prompting legal action.
When is the next hearing in the KMC case?
The next hearing is scheduled for 17 June. Before that, the KMC must file an affidavit by 9 June containing the resolutions of the 22 May meeting.
What did Mayor Firhad Hakim say about the 22 May incident?
Mayor Firhad Hakim called the 22 May lockout a 'black day' for the civic body. He urged the state government to avoid confrontation and act in the interest of Kolkata's residents.
Why does this ruling matter politically?
There was speculation that the KMC could be dissolved after the change of government in the state. The High Court's order reaffirms the Chairperson's statutory authority and protects the continuity of the civic body's decision-making.
