Kolkata, 08 September (H.S.) :

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday expressed displeasure over repeated requests for time by counsel representing Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee in a case concerning the proposed demolition of his office at Amtala in South 24 Parganas.

Justice Shubhra Ghosh warned that the interim stay on the demolition would not be extended if the petitioners were not prepared to argue the matter at the next hearing.

The case came up for hearing on Tuesday, when counsel appearing for Abhishek Banerjee sought additional time. Taking note of the repeated requests for adjournment, the court fixed September 22 as the next date of hearing and made it clear that the interim protection could be withdrawn if the petitioners were not ready on that date.

The case relates to an office at Amtala allegedly constructed in violation of building rules. A person named Sushanta Mondal had lodged a complaint on May 17 alleging that the office had been illegally constructed. Following the complaint, the administration initiated action against the structure.

On July 18, a portion of the office was demolished. The demolition process resumed the following day. The Calcutta High Court subsequently held a special sitting on a Sunday and imposed an interim stay on further demolition.

The office is registered in the name of Lips and Bounds, a company associated with Abhishek Banerjee. The demolition notice issued by the administration was also addressed to the company.

During an earlier hearing, counsel for Lips and Bounds had argued that no proper notice was served on the owner before the demolition proceedings were initiated. It was also contended that the authorities had not provided details of the complaint, the material relied upon to classify the structure as unauthorised, or the documents forming the basis of the action.

The company's counsel further submitted that the demolition had commenced without giving the owner an opportunity to present its case. Even if the construction was found to be unauthorised, the owner should first have been given an opportunity to remove the alleged illegal structure, the counsel argued.

After considering the submissions of both sides, the High Court had earlier granted interim protection against demolition. The court has now warned Abhishek Banerjee’s counsel that the matter must be argued with adequate preparation on September 22, failing which the interim stay may not be extended.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh