HC halts demolition at heritage wakf property in Kalighat
Times of India | 24 August 2026
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court paused KMC’s attempt to demolish structures at a Grade-I heritage site on wakf property on Satish Mukherjee Road in Kalighat. The court granted residents 30 days to appeal the Aug 19 order.
Police and central forces cordoned off the area. KMC officials arrived to demolish premises 51/1A and 51/1B. Authorities alleged one structure housed a Trinamool party office, while locals maintained it was residential. Officials said demolition orders were issued on Aug 18 and 19, and a vacate notice was posted on Friday.
A resident claiming permanent occupancy at 51/1A approached Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty for a hearing. The matter went to Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury. At 11.15 am, as the payloader approached amid protests, the court stayed the demolition.
Justice Basu Chowdhury ruled that giving residents two to three days to respond did not provide a “meaningful opportunity” to appeal under Section 400(3) of the KMC Act. He noted that an order under Section 400(1) is appealable and granted residents 30 days to appeal before the Municipal Building Tribunal.
The KMC order said the unauthorised construction covers 1,500 square metres. Wakf Board CEO-in-charge confirmed that 51/1A and 51/1B are registered Waqf properties containing Grade-I heritage mosques and the tombs of Tipu Sultan. The order noted encroachment by 500 families and illegal structures.
KMC alleged the building housed a TMC office built without an approved plan. Local sources named TMC organiser Kumar Saha as the builder. A resident said his family had lived there for generations, questioning why notice was served only now. Local women blocked the payloader.
Tipu Sultan family member Mohammad Shahid Alam lodged a complaint at Tollygunge PS alleging assault. Police said an investigation has begun with CCTV footage.