KMC seeks 5-day demolition report on Abhishek Banerjee-linked properties
Synopsis
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has given its building department five days to report on the demolition status of alleged illegal constructions at properties linked to TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee — with Commissioner Smita Pandey signalling zero tolerance for further delay after a Calcutta High Court order cleared the way for action.
Key Takeaways
KMC Commissioner Smita Pandey has sought a five-day status report on demolition of alleged illegal constructions at Abhishek Banerjee -linked properties.
Demolition notices have been issued to 17 to 21 properties under Section 400(1) of the Kolkata Municipal Building Act.
The Calcutta High Court has already granted final approval to KMC to demolish any illegal structures.
Instructions to KMC came from the West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Department .
The Commissioner has stated no further time will be given to Abhishek Banerjee and strict action will follow.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has directed its building and assessment departments to submit a detailed status report — within five days — on the demolition of alleged illegal constructions at properties linked to All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, officials confirmed on Thursday, 11 June. The move follows a direct order from the Calcutta High Court mandating the removal of any unauthorised structures.
What KMC Has Ordered
KMC Administrator and Commissioner Smita Pandey has sought the final status report from both the building department and the assessment department. The Commissioner reportedly summoned departmental officials to her residence last week, making clear that no further extensions would be granted to Abhishek Banerjee. According to officials, strict action will follow once the report is received.
The instructions to KMC originated from the West Bengal state Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Department, which had directed the civic body to act in compliance with the court's ruling.
Notices Issued to Multiple Properties
Demolition notices have been issued to between 17 and 21 properties under Section 400(1) of the Kolkata Municipal Building Act, according to sources. The Commissioner sought a specific account of what action the building department had taken against each of these properties following the issuance of those notices.
Court's Role and Legal Background
The Calcutta High Court has already granted final approval to the KMC to proceed with demolition of any structure found to be illegally constructed. The court's order is unambiguous: illegal structures must come down. KMC Commissioner Pandey has reportedly told officials that the court's directive leaves no room for delay or procedural deferral.
Notably, this is not the first time properties associated with Banerjee have drawn regulatory scrutiny. The sequence — court order, state department instruction, civic body action — reflects a formal legal chain that now places the onus squarely on KMC's building department to execute.
What Happens Next
Once the five-day report is submitted, Commissioner Pandey is expected to formally order demolition of the illegal portions of Abhishek Banerjee's property. Industry observers note that the tight timeline signals the administration's intent to avoid the kind of prolonged non-compliance that has historically plagued municipal enforcement in urban Bengal. All eyes are now on whether KMC's building department acts within the stipulated window.
Point of View
But the real question is whether KMC's building department — historically slow on enforcement against politically connected properties — will actually execute. The Calcutta High Court order removes the legal ambiguity; what remains is institutional will. That the instructions flowed from the state's own Municipal Affairs Department adds a layer of political complexity: the TMC-led state government is, in effect, directing action against its own general secretary's properties. Whether this reflects genuine enforcement or managed optics ahead of electoral pressures is a question the next five days will begin to answer.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has KMC ordered regarding Abhishek Banerjee's properties?
KMC Commissioner Smita Pandey has directed the building and assessment departments to submit a final status report within five days on the demolition of alleged illegal constructions at properties linked to TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Once the report is received, the Commissioner is expected to formally order demolition of the illegal portions.
What does the Calcutta High Court order say?
The Calcutta High Court has granted final approval to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to demolish any illegal structures identified at the properties. The court's order states unambiguously that unauthorised constructions must be removed, leaving KMC with a legal mandate to act.
How many properties have received demolition notices?
Between 17 and 21 properties have been served notices under Section 400(1) of the Kolkata Municipal Building Act, according to sources. KMC Commissioner Pandey sought a specific account of what action had been taken against each property following those notices.
Who directed KMC to take action?
The West Bengal state Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Department issued instructions to KMC to comply with the Calcutta High Court's demolition order. KMC Commissioner Smita Pandey subsequently directed her building and assessment departments to act and report back within five days.
Who is Abhishek Banerjee?
Abhishek Banerjee is the general secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and a Member of Parliament. He is also the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, making the KMC enforcement action politically significant.
