The demolition of former Trinamool Congress leader Jahangir Khan’s disputed multi-storey house in Falta continued for a second day on Thursday under the supervision of district officials, police and utility personnel. The administration also began installing CCTV cameras outside the property to monitor the demolition process.
Workers resumed the operation at around 9 am using hammers, drills and vibrators at the building in the Srirampur area of Falta. Falta Block Development Officer Sandeep Singh Rai, police officers, civil defence personnel and electricity board workers were present at the site as the work proceeded under administrative supervision.
The building had been the subject of complaints alleging irregularities in its construction. A demand for an investigation had been submitted to the district administration, which subsequently began examining whether the house had been built in accordance with the applicable rules.
According to the report, approval from the district council is generally required for plans involving buildings higher than two storeys in the area. Questions were raised over whether Khan’s building had received the required approvals. The matter later reached court, and administrative action began after the court allowed the demolition of the structure.
The case highlights the enforcement process that can follow allegations of unauthorised construction. Notices were reportedly issued several times in Khan’s name, and he was summoned for a hearing. The report says he did not appear. He was later served a demolition notice directing that the alleged illegal construction be removed within seven days, but the instruction was not implemented during that period.
The administration then began the demolition itself. Preparations started on Wednesday, when workers first removed items from inside the building before beginning the dismantling work. The operation continued on Thursday with officials and personnel from multiple departments present at the site.
The installation of CCTV cameras is intended to provide continuous oversight of the demolition, according to the report. The presence of police, civil defence and electricity officials also reflects the operational coordination required when a multi-storey structure is dismantled in an occupied urban and semi-urban area. The supplied report does not state the building’s total height, construction cost or the precise violations identified during the investigation.
The demolition comes against the backdrop of allegations surrounding Khan’s political and criminal record. The report says the Trinamool Congress had fielded him from Falta for the 2026 Assembly election and that he was known as close to Abhishek Banerjee. Allegations of irregularities were raised on polling day, following which the Election Commission decided on a repoll. Khan withdrew from the contest two days before voting, according to the report.
He was subsequently arrested near the Nepal border in connection with allegations including extortion and intimidation, while his wife was also arrested. The report says both are currently in jail. The administration’s next step at the property is the continuation and completion of the demolition under official supervision.
