Kolkata, Sept. 11 -- The Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into allegations of illegal construction in Kolkata and questioned the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) over its alleged failure to act against such constructions.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge, with Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, directed the CBI to conduct an inquiry and submit a preliminary report before the court on October 14, when the matter will be heard again.
The petitioner has alleged that at least 42 properties have been identified where constructions were allegedly raised without proper sanction and where the ownership or identity of occupants could not be established. The petition also alleges involvement of large amounts of unaccounted cash and raises concerns over possible implications for national security.
The petition concerns alleged illegal constructions in areas under the Amherst Street and Narkeldanga police stations. It says the petitioner approached the authorities after gathering information about unauthorised constructions on government, thika, waqf and other properties.
According to the petition, the alleged racket involves builders, private individuals and local authorities. It further claims that properties were being developed through unregistered transactions, with the identities of actual developers and persons financing the projects allegedly being concealed.
The petition also alleges that some of the unauthorised structures were being used by scam call centres and that money generated through fraudulent activities was being invested in construction projects.
The petitioner had complained to the authorities in November 2024, seeking an investigation into the alleged flow of black money and the persons involved.
The petition states that the complaint was acknowledged, but the petitioner remained unaware of any effective action thereafter.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.