A police complaint has been lodged alleging unauthorised occupation and use of a public playground by Dhrubajyoti Basu, also known as Subho, who is associated with the Tala Prattoy Durga Puja Committee.
The complaint was lodged by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from the Kashipur–Belgachia constituency, Ritesh Tiwari. Based on his complaint, police have registered a case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those relating to organised crime, public nuisance, mischief causing damage to government property and criminal trespass.
Tiwari mentioned in his complaint submitted to the Inspector-in-Charge of Tala Police Station on Monday that nearly two bighas of the Tala Gymkhana Ground, a property of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), have been under encroachment since 2018.
He further alleged that around 200 feet of the playground’s boundary wall, along with an iron gate and grills belonging to the civic body, were demolished. According to the complaint, a club room was subsequently constructed on KMC land under the Parks and Squares Department.
Tiwari also claimed that an electricity connection was fraudulently obtained from CESC in the name of the Tala Park Association by using the address of another KMC property.
The complaint mentions as per local residents, portions of the playground are being used throughout the year for temporary structures, storage and activities unrelated to recreation, depriving children and other residents of free access to the public space.
It further alleges that Tala Prattoy Club has occupied nearly two bighas of the ground and constructed a club room inside the park after demolishing part of its boundary wall.
On Thursday, Tiwari said he had requested the civic authorities to initiate steps to remove the alleged encroachments.
“There are several tables at Tala Park that have become a den for anti-social activities. I have asked the Municipal Commissioner to demolish them. The other structures will also be removed,” he said.
The BJP MLA also alleged that shops operating along the park’s boundary lacked commercial viability.
“There is no commercial viability for these shops. This place is meant for swimmers and table tennis players. There is not much feasibility to run shops here. If need be, we will relocate these shops to Raja Manindra Street,” Tiwari said.
The complaint further states that some residents have claimed they feel discouraged or intimidated from asserting their right to use the playground because of the alleged control exercised over the area.
Citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bangalore Medical Trust vs B.S. Muddappa, Tiwari argued that public parks and playgrounds are community assets that should be preserved for public use and not appropriated for private purposes.
Based on the complaint, Tala Police Station has registered a case under Sections 111(4), 270, 287, 324(3) and 329(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The complaint seeks a detailed investigation into the allegations and appropriate legal action against those found responsible.