Calcutta HC extends stay on Abhishek Banerjee's Amtala office demolition till Nov 30
Synopsis
The Calcutta High Court has again shielded Abhishek Banerjee's Amtala office from demolition, extending the stay to 30 November and ordering the state to explain what was seized from the premises. The case — involving a corporate-owned party office, a citizen complaint, and allegations of no prior notice — puts the spotlight on due process in politically charged demolition actions in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
Calcutta High Court extended the interim stay on the demolition of Abhishek Banerjee's Amtala party office until 30 November .
The order was passed by Justice Suvra Ghosh on 22 September 2026 ; next hearing listed for 26 November .
The court directed the state to submit a detailed report on items seized from the office and share a copy with the petitioner.
The office at plot number 507 , Amtala , South 24 Parganas , was partially demolished on 18–19 July following a complaint filed by Sushant Mondal on 17 May .
The office is registered under Leaps and Bounds Private Limited , linked to the Banerjee family .
TMC alleged demolition began without prior notice or opportunity to respond.
A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, extended the interim stay on the demolition of the party office of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary and Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee at Amtala in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, until 30 November. The order was passed by Justice Suvra Ghosh, who also directed the state government to furnish a detailed report on items seized from the office premises.
Key Developments in Court
Justice Ghosh directed that a copy of the state's seizure report be handed to the petitioner ahead of the next scheduled hearing, listed for 26 November. During proceedings, Banerjee's counsel contended that while other plot numbers on the same site reportedly had irregularities, the TMC office situated at plot number 507 was only partially demolished — an outcome the counsel characterised as an error by the district administration. Counsel further argued that Banerjee deserved compensation for that administrative lapse.
Background: The Complaint and Demolitions
The dispute traces back to 17 May, when an individual named Sushant Mondal filed a complaint alleging that the Amtala office had been illegally constructed. The district administration acted on that complaint, and a portion of the office was demolished on 18 July. Demolition resumed the following day, 19 July, before the Calcutta High Court — which had been observing a holiday on Sunday — issued an interim stay order halting the work.
The Corporate Ownership Link
The office is registered in the name of a corporate entity called Leaps and Bounds Private Limited, which is linked to the Banerjee family, according to available records. The administration's demolition notice was also issued in that company's name, not to Banerjee personally. This corporate ownership angle is expected to feature prominently in subsequent hearings.
TMC's Allegations Against the Administration
The TMC faction led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee alleged that demolition work commenced without prior notice being served and without disclosing the legal basis for the action. The party further claimed that no opportunity to respond was provided before the partial demolition was carried out — allegations the state has yet to formally rebut in court.
What Comes Next
The state government must submit its detailed seizure report before the 26 November hearing. The court will then assess the parties' competing submissions on legality, compensation, and the state's grounds for action. Any change to the stay status will hinge on whether the administration can demonstrate procedural compliance. The case is being closely watched as a test of due-process standards in politically sensitive demolition disputes in West Bengal.
Point of View
This case is one of several across states where demolition actions against politicians' properties have been contested on procedural grounds, raising a consistent question: are administrations building an evidentiary record before acting, or moving first and justifying later? The 26 November hearing will be the first real test of whether the state can answer that question credibly.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Abhishek Banerjee's Amtala office demolished?
The demolition was initiated after Sushant Mondal filed a complaint on 17 May alleging the Amtala office was illegally constructed. The district administration acted on that complaint, demolishing part of the office on 18–19 July , before the Calcutta High Court issued an interim stay.
What did the Calcutta High Court order on 22 September 2026?
The court extended the existing interim stay on demolition of the Amtala office until 30 November and directed the state government to submit a detailed report on items seized from the premises. A copy of the report must be given to the petitioner before the 26 November hearing.
Who owns the Amtala office at the centre of this case?
The office is registered in the name of Leaps and Bounds Private Limited , a corporate entity linked to the Banerjee family . The demolition notice was also issued in the company's name rather than to Abhishek Banerjee personally.
What are the TMC's allegations against the state administration?
The TMC alleged that the administration began demolition without serving prior notice, without disclosing the legal basis for the action, and without giving any opportunity to respond. These procedural complaints formed the basis for the court's initial stay order.
When is the next hearing in this case?
The next hearing has been listed for 26 November 2026 , by which date the state government must have submitted its detailed seizure report and shared a copy with the petitioner.
