The Central Bureau of Investigation conducted searches across several Kolkata neighbourhoods on Sunday following a Calcutta High Court order directing a probe into allegations of widespread illegal construction and inaction by civic and state authorities.
CBI teams searched locations in Rajabazar, Keshab Chandra Sen Street, Narkeldanga, Amherst Street, Tangra, Maniktala and Beleghata, among other areas, according to The Statesman. The investigation relates to allegations that more than 50 houses were constructed illegally in parts of Beliaghata, Maniktala, Rajabazar and along Canal East Road.
A report submitted by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation had identified 42 such constructions as illegal. The matter reached the High Court after a case alleged that demolition orders issued earlier had not resulted in effective action against the unauthorised structures.
The petition before the court alleged large-scale corruption involving several thousand crores of rupees. It also raised claims of money laundering and the illegal investment of foreign currency in the construction business. The allegations have not been established by the investigation and will be examined through the CBI probe.
The case also concerns the basic permission and enforcement systems governing urban construction in Kolkata. The petition alleged that several structures had been built without the minimum approvals required from the authorities. The court questioned why the Kolkata Municipal Corporation or the state administration had not initiated a suo motu inquiry despite the alleged violations.
The High Court’s order followed a hearing on September 11 before a division bench headed by the Chief Justice. The bench directed the CBI to investigate the allegations and allowed the agency to constitute a Special Investigation Team if necessary.
The court also raised national security concerns, with the petitioner claiming that unchecked illegal construction could have security implications. The source report does not provide details of any specific security incident or identify structures connected to such an incident.
The searches mark an escalation from civic-level action to a central investigative inquiry into how the allegedly unauthorised buildings were approved, constructed and allowed to remain in place. The court’s observations place scrutiny not only on property owners or builders but also on the institutional process through which construction permissions, inspections, demolition orders and enforcement are administered.
The CBI has been directed to submit a preliminary report to the Calcutta High Court by October 14. The report is expected to set out the initial findings of the investigation and may clarify the scale of the alleged violations, the role of different authorities and whether an SIT is required.
