KMC demands elevation copy of Abhishek Banerjee-linked building on Harish Mukherjee Road
Synopsis
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has escalated its scrutiny of a building linked to TMC's Abhishek Banerjee, demanding architectural elevation drawings — not just a written reply — to its earlier notice. With 17 Banerjee-linked properties under the KMC's lens, the civic body's insistence on documented proof of structural compliance marks a significant procedural step.
Key Takeaways
The KMC has demanded an 'elevation copy' of 188A Harish Mukherjee Road , registered under Leaps & Bounds Private Limited , linked to Abhishek Banerjee .
The building, named 'Santiniketan' , was reportedly used as Abhishek Banerjee's residence and is located near Mamata Banerjee's home in South Kolkata .
A plain reply to the KMC notice is insufficient; the elevation copy must graphically show all alterations to the original structure.
The KMC has served notices to 17 properties linked to Abhishek Banerjee; elevation copies are required for all of them.
Under KMC Building Rules, 2009 , architectural drawings are mandatory for construction approval and are a key tool for detecting illegal construction.
Opposition parties have questioned Banerjee-family property holdings since TMC came to power in West Bengal in 2011 .
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has sought the 'elevation copy' of a building at 188A Harish Mukherjee Road in South Kolkata, registered in the name of Leaps & Bounds Private Limited — a corporate entity linked to All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee. The elevation copy must be submitted alongside the reply to a formal notice the KMC had earlier served on the property.
What the KMC Has Demanded
Civic authorities have made clear that a plain written reply to the notice will not suffice. The elevation copy — an architectural drawing illustrating the vertical faces of a structure, including walls, roofs, doors, windows, and exterior materials — must accompany the response. Crucially, any alterations or additions made to the building's original structure must also be graphically documented in that copy.
Under the KMC Building Rules, 2009, a drawing or sketch of the construction site must be submitted with any application for design approval — a step that is mandatory. One copy is retained by the KMC's building department, and the other stays with the applicant. These drawings, typically rendered on special blue paper, serve as a primary tool for the corporation to detect unauthorised construction within its jurisdiction.
The Property in Focus
The building, named 'Santiniketan', is located close to the residence of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee. Although formally registered under Leaps & Bounds Private Limited, it was reportedly used as Abhishek Banerjee's residence. The property is one of 17 properties — either owned or co-owned by Abhishek Banerjee — to which the KMC has sent notices. According to sources, elevation copies will be required for all 17 properties, not just 'Santiniketan'.
Political Background
The scrutiny of properties linked to the Banerjee family is not new. Since the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC came to power in West Bengal in 2011, opposition parties — first the Communist Party of India (Marxist), then the Indian National Congress, and eventually the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — have repeatedly raised concerns about a large number of properties being registered in the names of various Banerjee-family members. Mamata Banerjee, at the time, dismissed those allegations as politically motivated mud-slinging.
What Happens Next
The KMC's insistence on elevation copies signals a more rigorous phase of its compliance process. Should the documentation reveal discrepancies between approved plans and actual construction, the corporation would have grounds to initiate further action under municipal building rules. The outcome of this process is being closely watched given the political profile of those involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the KMC issued a notice to the building at 188A Harish Mukherjee Road?
The KMC issued a notice to the building as part of a broader scrutiny of 17 properties linked to TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee. The corporation has now additionally demanded an elevation copy — an architectural drawing of the building's vertical faces — to verify structural compliance with approved plans.
What is an elevation copy and why does the KMC need it?
An elevation copy is a 2D scaled architectural drawing that shows the exterior vertical faces of a building, including walls, roofs, doors, and windows. The KMC requires it under the KMC Building Rules, 2009 to detect any unauthorised alterations or additions to a structure's original approved design.
Who owns the building named 'Santiniketan' on Harish Mukherjee Road?
The building is formally registered in the name of Leaps & Bounds Private Limited, a corporate entity linked to Abhishek Banerjee. It was reportedly used as his residence and is located close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's home in South Kolkata.
How many properties linked to Abhishek Banerjee are under KMC notice?
The KMC has served notices on 17 properties either owned or co-owned by Abhishek Banerjee. Elevation copies will reportedly be required alongside replies to notices for all 17 properties.
What is the political context behind this scrutiny?
Since the TMC came to power in West Bengal in 2011, opposition parties — CPI(M), Congress, and BJP — have raised concerns about properties registered in Banerjee-family names. Mamata Banerjee previously dismissed those allegations as politically motivated. The KMC's current action gives those long-standing claims a formal municipal dimension.
