HC gives KMC 15 days to state steps against illegal buildings

Expressing displeasure over Kolkata Municipal Corporation's (KMC) 'failure' to act against illegal constructions, the Calcutta High Court today gave it 15 days to state what steps it is going to take to deal with the situation.
Taking up petitions relating to 18 illegal constructions at Cossipore area in the city's northern part, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice Arijit Banerjee sought to know what steps KMC had taken in this regard.
The bench asked the municipal commissioner, who was present before it following a directive, whether there was any pressure on him not to act against such illegal activities.

Noting that KMC has only issued notice to the owners or promoters, the bench asked why no FIR had been filed against the perpetrators.
Questioning whether nine months were not enough to act against such activities, the bench asked the commissioner as to why he had not sought police assistance to stop such activities.
Observing that it amounted to total negligence on the part of KMC, the bench directed the commissioner to file an affidavit before the court within 15 days stating what steps KMC would take in this regard.