Kolkata, 19 May (H.S.) : The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has issued two notices over alleged illegal constructions at properties linked to Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
One of the notices was issued in the name of Abhishek’s mother, Lata Banerjee, while the second was sent to “Lips and Bounds”, an organisation widely associated with the Trinamool leader.
The notices were issued by the building department of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation under Section 400(1) of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980. The provision empowers the municipal commissioner to order demolition of unauthorised portions of buildings or halt construction work if structures are found to be in violation of sanctioned plans. However, prior notice to property owners is mandatory before any action is taken.
The notices mention two addresses located in Ward No. 73 of the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency — 121 Kalighat Road and 188A Harish Mukherjee Road. According to the civic body, portions of the constructions at these properties were allegedly built beyond the approved building plans.
The property owners have been directed to remove the alleged unauthorised portions within seven days. The notices further state that if the owners fail to demolish the structures themselves, they must explain why the civic body should not undertake demolition proceedings.
The corporation also warned that if a satisfactory reply is not submitted within the stipulated period, it may demolish the unauthorised portions after issuing a notice of less than seven days. The expenses incurred during such demolition would be recovered from the property owners. The notices additionally seek submission of sanctioned building plans, approved layouts and other relevant documents.
The development comes days after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched a sharp attack on Abhishek Banerjee’s alleged properties during an election campaign rally in Falta on Saturday. Suvendu claimed that he had obtained a list of Abhishek’s properties from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and alleged that “Lips and Bounds” owned 24 properties in Kolkata along with a palace-like office in Amtala. He had said that all such properties would be investigated.
Notably, the name of “Lips and Bounds” has surfaced repeatedly during investigations into the school recruitment corruption case. The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that the organisation was used for transactions and laundering of crores of rupees linked to alleged corruption. Abhishek Banerjee had earlier been summoned for questioning by the agency in connection with the matter.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
