Meghnath Sarkar v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

05.02.2024 d.p.

In The High Court At Calcutta Constitutional Writ Jurisdiction Appellate Side W.P.A 13577 of 2023 Meghnath Sarkar -versus The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Mritynjoy Chatterjee, Mr. Manas Das.

...For the Petitioner.

Mr. Anirban Datta.

...For the State.

Affidavit-of-service filed in Court today is taken on record.

The petitioner prays for consideration of the representation dated 31st May, 2023 alleging illegal and unauthorized construction at the behest of the private respondent.

None appears on behalf of the private respondent or the Gram Panchayat.

In view of the order that I propose to pass, none of the non appearing parties will be prejudiced if the writ petition is disposed of in the following manner. As it appears that the representation of the petitioner objecting to the illegal and unauthorized construction is pending consideration at the end of the

respondent authorities, no useful purpose will be served by keeping the writ petition pending.

The writ petition is accordingly disposed of by directing the respondent no. 5, Bargram Gram Panchayat to consider and dispose of the representation made by the petitioner, strictly in accordance with law, after giving an opportunity of hearing to all the necessary parties, including the petitioner, at the earliest, but positively within a period of four months from the date communication of a copy of this order. The said respondent shall pass a reasoned order and communicate the same to all the necessary parties, including the petitioner, immediately thereafter. In the event the aforesaid respondent is of the considered opinion that the construction has been made either in violation of the plan sanctioned or devoid the sanction plan, then necessary steps shall be taken to deal with such unauthorized construction, in accordance with law.

It is made clear that this Court has not entered into the merits of the claim made by the petitioner and all points are left open to be decided by the aforesaid respondent at the time of consideration of the representation of the petitioner.

The Panchayat Authority will not decide the right, title and interest of the parties and will restrict the decision only with regard to unauthorized construction being made without a sanctioned plan.

The petitioner is directed to forward a copy of the representation dated 31st May, 2023 to the aforesaid

respondent at the time of communicating the order of the Court.

The writ petition stands disposed of.

Urgent certified photocopy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties expeditiously on compliance of usual legal formalities.

( Amrita Sinha, J.)