Calcutta HC orders action against KMC engineer over 7-year delay in demolishing illegal building

The Calcutta High Court has directed strict action against the Executive Engineer of the Building Department under Borough No. 15 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation for allegedly failing to demolish an illegal construction despite knowing about it for seven years. Justice Amrita Sinha on Thursday ordered the Municipal Commissioner and the Director General of the Building Department to initiate action against the official for negligence of duty and for allegedly allowing the structure to remain standing deliberately.

The court also directed the authorities to submit details of the action taken against the engineer. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for June 25. During the hearing, the court expressed strong displeasure over the prolonged inaction despite repeated directions regarding the illegal structure.

According to court records, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation had identified a five-storey illegal building in Ward No. 134 under Borough No. 15 in 2019 after receiving a complaint. However, no demolition or enforcement action was taken against the structure after it was identified by civic authorities.

A local resident later approached the High Court in 2024 alleging that the building had been constructed without any sanctioned plan and that the civic body had failed to take action against it. The petitioner also alleged that after filing a police complaint regarding the construction, the builder threatened the complainant instead of facing action from the authorities.

During an earlier hearing, Justice Amrita Sinha had directed the Executive Engineer of Borough No. 15 to take necessary action within three months. However, after no action was taken, the petitioner filed a contempt petition before the court. Observing that the five-storey structure still remained intact after seven years, the court remarked that the conduct of the officials indicated that no meaningful action had been taken deliberately.