‘Demolish in seven days or…’: KMC notice to Abhishek Banerjee over ‘unauthorised construction’ at his residence

Days after the BJP came to power in West Bengal, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has posted a legal notice outside the residence of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee over alleged illegal construction.

In the notice, issued under Section 400(1) of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980, the civic body has given Banerjee seven days to demolish the alleged illegal construction or face action.

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“You are hereby required under Section 400(1) of The Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980 to demolish the deviated unauthorized parts of the building within 7 (seven) days from the date of service of the notice at Premises No.188A, Harish Mukherjee Road; Ward 073: Br – IX or to Show Cause within a week from the date of service of this notice as to why such deviated unauthorized parts of the building as made in deviation from the sanction or approved plan at the above mentioned premises should not be demolished in violation of the conditions and in breach of the provision of The Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980,” read the notice issued by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to Lata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee’s mother.

The civic authority further warned that it will demolish the deviated unauthorised construction at the cost of the owner if the owner failed to comply with the notice.

“If you fail to comply with the requisition of this notice, the Municipal Commissioner may, after giving not less than 7 (seven) days’ notice to you, demolish the deviated unauthorized construction. The expenses incurred for such demolition shall be recovered from your end (owner / occupier / person responsible) as the case may be after completion of demolition,” the KMC said.

The TMC leader has also been asked to share building plan approvals and permission taken for additional construction. Banerjee has also been asked to share details regarding lifts and escalators if installed at his residence.

“You are hereby further requested to submit an as-built drawing of the building showing different use along with all structural details (escalator, lift etc. if any) thereon and within 7 days from the receipt of this notice,” the notice read.

According to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the civic authority has also flagged multiple properties linked to him and his aides with “long-pending property tax dues, raising serious concerns over compliance.”