Demolition ‘exceeds limit’, Calcutta High Court orders reconstruction, Rs 10 lakh relief

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the reconstruction of a two-storey commercial building that was allegedly illegally demolished during an anti-encroachment drive. The court also directed the authorities to provide free alternative accommodation to the affected petitioners until the new structure is ready and to compensate them with Rs 10 lakh.

Kabita Manna and another petitioner filed the plea, claiming that their building in Purba Medinipur was demolished while authorities were removing encroachments from adjacent government land. The court concluded that the authorities had exceeded their limit by dismantling and demolishing the construction without lawful authority, and thus, must arrange for the petitioners' alternative accommodation and pay the compensation.