The high court on Thursday came down on civic bodies and the people’s representatives while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on illegal structures across the state.
The high court said it was unbelievable that all illegal buildings were coming up without the knowledge of the civic bodies and the people’s representatives.
Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, while hearing the PIL, said: “The court cannot believe these constructions were carried out without the knowledge of civic authorities.”
“It is also not believable that local representatives have been kept in the dark,” he added.
“The civic authorities claim before the court that they have taken all possible measures to stop illegal construction. But what do we find in the result? As if, the operation is successful but the patient is dead, “ the Chief Justice said.
The division bench comprised Chief Justice Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmoy Bhattacharyya.
In March, an unauthorised under-construction building collapsed in Garden Reach causing the death of 13 persons.
Chief Justice Sivagnanam on Thursday said: “Merely court orders cannot serve the purpose. Until and unless the people raise their voices and civic authorities and local representatives come forward, nothing can be done.”
“A few days back, this court had directed the demolition of illegal buildings. However, the court order could not be carried out because of public resistance. At least the civic officials claimed so. If this is the situation, what can be done,” he said.
Appearing for Kolkata Municipal Corporation, advocate Joydeep Kar tried to inform the court about the steps the civic body had taken about the collapsed building at Garden Reach.
The Chief Justice told him: “What has been done? The persons arrested in this incident get bail in three days. After coming out of jail they will find other plots for promoting another illegal building.”
Chief Justice Sivagnanam also criticised the government for its inability to curb the menace of illegal construction.
“The state should pay Rs 5 lakh to the nearest kins of the persons who died in the Garden Reach incident and at least Rs 1.5 lakh to the injured,” the Chief Justice said.
Proper plan
Advocate Subrata Mukhopadhyay moved a PIL at the same court seeking an order directing the assessment registrar not to register any buildings that did not have a properly sanctioned plan.
The state advocate general Kishore Datta wanted to make a submission on the matter. Hence, the division bench issued an interim order restraining the registrar of assessment from registering any building without a properly sanctioned order.
The matter would come up for hearing after fifteen days, the chief justice said.