Kolkata, May 15 -- The Calcutta High Court on Friday restrained authorities from carrying out any further demolition at a Tiljala building gutted by fire earlier this week, while clarifying that dangerous portions may still be removed in consultation with the residents.
Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury passed the interim order while hearing a petition filed by residents of a multi-storeyed building at Golam Jilani Khan Road after civic authorities allegedly began demolition work using heavy machinery a day after the fire incident.
The court observed that while demolition proceedings must follow the procedure prescribed under law, the petitioners had failed to disclose whether the building had municipal sanction or statutory clearances from pollution control, fire or other authorities.
Holding that no business activity should continue from the premises for the time being, the court directed maintenance of status quo and restrained the petitioners from carrying out repairs or restoring the building. The petitioners claimed the ground floor of the building housed a leather goods manufacturing business run under the name M/s Delta Leather Corporation, while the upper floors were used as residential accommodation for family members, including women and minor children.
According to the petitioners, the fire broke out on May 12 between 1 pm and 2 pm in the factory portion on the ground floor. Five workers suffered injuries and were taken to Chittaranjan National Medical College and Hospital. Two later succumbed to their injuries, while three others are still undergoing treatment.
The residents alleged that demolition work was carried out on May 13 without following due legal procedure or serving prior notice. Their counsel argued before the court that demolition under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act cannot ordinarily take place without notice and claimed the process had been initiated following directions issued by the State administration. The petitioners also sought restoration of electricity and water supply.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation opposed the plea, contending that the structure was entirely unauthorised and had no sanctioned building plan. The civic body also submitted that no tannery-related activity could legally operate from the area after 1997 and informed the court that notices under municipal law had already been issued on May 12 and May 13.
State authorities further submitted that the unit lacked clearance from the Pollution Control Board and said preventive measures were necessary following the deadly fire.
The matter will be heard again on June 22.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.