Kolkata, 15 May (H.S.) : The Calcutta High Court on Friday imposed an interim stay on the demolition of an allegedly illegal structure in the Topsia area under Tiljala police station limits in Kolkata. However, the court clarified that no rehabilitation arrangements would be made for the residents at this stage.

The matter was heard by the bench of Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury, which fixed the next hearing in the case for May 22.

During the hearing, the judge observed that despite earlier court directives regarding illegal constructions in the city, there had been “inaction” on the part of the previous government. The court also stated that no structure could be demolished without following due legal procedure and stressed that all actions must be carried out in accordance with the law.

The controversy emerged after a fire broke out on Tuesday at a leather factory operating on the second floor of the multi-storey building in Topsia. Two people died in the incident, while three others sustained serious injuries and remain under treatment in hospital.

Following the incident, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the building had been constructed illegally without an approved building plan and that an unauthorised factory was operating there. Within hours of his statement, bulldozers reached the site and demolition work began.

Residents of the building protested against the demolition drive, alleging arbitrary action by the authorities. Portions of the structure had already been demolished before the matter reached the High Court.

In its interim order, the court directed that the demolition work would remain suspended for the time being. At the same time, it ordered that no business activity would be allowed on the premises and no one would be permitted to reside there.

The High Court further clarified that no rehabilitation would be provided to the affected residents at present and that damaged portions of the building could not be repaired. The court has directed that status quo be maintained at the site until further orders.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh