Bandana Barlow v. Hmc And ORS.

ML 258 17.05.2024 AGM In The High Court At Calcutta Constitutional Writ Jurisdiction Appellate Side W.P.A 26149 of 2022 Mrs. Bandana Barlow -versus The Howrah Municipal Corporation & Ors.

Mr.Ajit Kuamr Mishra.

Mr. Abhishek Dey.

Mr. Suprovat Banerjee.

Mr. Kushagra Maskara.

...For the Petitioner.

Mr. Jahar Datta.

Mr. Bipin Ghosh.

... For the State.

Mr. Sandipan Banerjee.

Mr. Ankit Sureka.

Mr. Sobhan Majumdar.

... For the Corporation.

The petitioner complains of illegal and unauthorised construction at 406, Belilious Road under jurisdiction of HMC, Borough-III. Complaint lodged against such unauthorised construction has not been considered till date.

There is no proof of service of the writ petition upon the private respondents.

None represents the respondents.

Affidavit-of-service filed in Court today be kept with the records.

In view of the order that I propose to pass none of the non-appearing respondents would 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 Commissioner of Howrah Municipal Corporation or his delegate 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 within a period of three months from the date of 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. A spot inspection shall be conducted to ascertain the nature and extent of unauthorized construction. 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.

The aforesaid respondent shall restrict the consideration of the representation with regard to unauthorized construction only and not enter into or decide any private dispute of the parties regarding right, title and interest in respect of the aforesaid land. 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 petitioner is directed to forward a copy of the representation dated 27th September, 2021 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.)