Kolkata, Sept. 17 -- Following the Calcutta High Court order directing CBI inquiry into allegations of illegal construction in Kolkata, officials of the central agency on Thursday reportedly began a field-level investigation, visiting a three-storey building on Canal East Road.
A CBI team entered the building in the afternoon and inspected its different floors. The ground floor is being used for commercial purposes, while the upper floors are residential.
The building appeared incomplete, with portions of its exterior left without plaster and several unfinished areas inside. Some rooms had air conditioners, although residents were staying in the premises. The staircase had no railing. CBI officials went upstairs and spoke to local residents, apparently gathering information as part of the preliminary inquiry.
The probe follows allegations of more than 50 illegal constructions in areas including Beleghata, Maniktala, Rajabazar and Canal East Road. A KMC report had identified 42 constructions as allegedly illegal. The matter reached the High Court after allegations that demolition orders issued against some structures had not been implemented.
The petition alleges that the constructions were raised without proper sanctions on government, thika, waqf and other properties. It further alleges concealed ownership, unregistered transactions and the involvement of builders, private individuals and local authorities.
The petition also raises allegations of large-scale unaccounted cash being invested in such projects, including money allegedly generated through fraudulent activities.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.