The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Monday, 25 May demolished an under-construction multi-storey building linked to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and real estate developer Raju Naskar at 1-E East Kulia Road in Beleghata, north Kolkata, triggering a tense standoff in the neighbourhood. Flat buyers who had paid substantial sums for units in the project descended on Naskar's office, only to find it locked — sparking a confrontation that required police and central forces to contain.

What the KMC Action Covered

The civic body had earlier served notices on two multi-storey buildings associated with Raju Naskar, located at 37 Barwaritla Road and 1-E East Kulia Road, both in Beleghata. The two structures together account for 16 flats. Of these, only the under-construction building at 1-E East Kulia Road was razed on Monday. The second building at 37 Barwaritla Road remains standing following the notices.

Flat Buyers Allege Fraud, Attack Associate

The demolition triggered panic among prospective flat owners who had already paid for units. When a young man arrived on a scooter near Naskar's office, a group of agitated buyers surrounded him, claiming he was a close associate of Naskar. They allegedly slapped him, sparking a prolonged argument at the scene.

One complainant, Poppy Dey, identified the man as Naskar's aide and alleged he had been monitoring the crowd and relaying information. 'That man is Raju Naskar's close aide. When we went to Raju Naskar's office, he was roaming around repeatedly. He was a real estate agent by profession... Today, that same man was collecting information from here and passing it on to Raju. That is why we caught hold of him,' she said.

Dey further alleged that money had been collected from buyers, but no agreement papers or building plans were ever shared with them. According to her, they had been assured the documents would be handed over on Monday — but they arrived to find the office shut.

Background: KMC Had Flagged Projects Earlier

This is not the first time these projects drew official scrutiny. According to locals, the KMC had previously raised concerns about the housing schemes and had reportedly asked for construction to be halted as far back as last September, during the Trinamool Congress government's tenure. At the time, Naskar had reportedly assured residents he would address the matter — a promise that, critics say, was never fulfilled.

Notably, the land on which the buildings stand is reportedly owned by elderly individuals — one of whom is said to have a heart ailment and another who is a widow. Family members are allegedly at a loss about how to navigate the legal and financial fallout.

Complaints Filed, Anger Mounts

Several affected buyers visited Beleghata police station on Monday afternoon to lodge formal complaints against Raju Naskar. The protesters alleged they had paid large sums without receiving any legally binding documentation, with some saying they feared losing both their money and the flats. Naskar's office remained locked throughout the day following the KMC action.

As investigations proceed and complaints pile up, the episode underscores the vulnerability of flat buyers in unregulated real estate projects and raises pointed questions about oversight of politically connected developers in the city.