Kolkata, Sep 11 (IANS): The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the corruption cases related to the illegal construction of multi-storey buildings in certain pockets of Kolkata.
A division bench of new Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge and Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty also observed that, if necessary, the CBI will form a special investigation team (SIT) for the probe.
The CBI was directed to submit a preliminary report in the matter to the court by October 14.
There are allegations that several illegal multi-storey constructions in certain localities in Kolkata, namely Rajabazar, Beliaghata, Maniktala, and Canal East Road, were not demolished despite there being a clear order from the Calcutta High Court earlier.
A petition was filed at the Calcutta High Court, alleging that in addition to corruption worth several crores of rupees, there were also allegations of money laundering and illegal foreign currency investment in the illegal multi-storey construction business. There are also allegations of construction without minimum permits. As a result, the petitioner alleged that there is a risk to national security
During the hearing, the division bench observed that the state administration and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) should have initiated a suo motu probe in the matter. According to it, the KMC should have taken the initiative on its own to demolish such illegal constructions.
Even the submission from the KMC’s counsel seeking time to submit a detailed report in the matter could not satisfy the judges, who pointed out that 42 such high-rise constructions were identified as illegal by the court earlier.
Thereafter, the court accepted the plea from the petitioner for a CBI probe in the matter. It also directed the CBI to immediately initiate the preliminary investigation process by collecting the data and documents from the KMC and the Kolkata Police.
