Calcutta High Court

KMC Must Conclude Pending Demolition Proceedings and Initiate Immediate Prosecution Against All Identified Illegal Constructions

M/S SEVEN POINT MOTORS PRIVATE LIMITED vs THE KOLKATA MUNICIPAL CORPORATION AND ORS

Calcutta High CourtJUDGMENT: May 13, 20262 MIN READSOURCE JUDGMENT
THE ORIGINAL LAWLENS SUMMARY
01

Facts

The petitioner in WPA 22458 of 2024 alleged illegal construction at Premises No. 88, Park Street, Kolkata, by Ravi Sanei and Park Guest House

Source reference: para. 2

Despite court orders dated December 2, 2025, and December 16, 2025, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) initially failed to appear or file a status report

Source reference: paras. 1-2

Subsequently, KMC filed reports confirming illegal construction and issued a stop-work notice under Section 400(1) of the KMC Act against Ravi Sanei, though the report was vague regarding Park Guest House

Source reference: para. 2

Meanwhile, an occupant filed WPA 7370 of 2026 challenging a demolition notice, which was initially stayed on March 31, 2026

Source reference: paras. 3-4
02

Issues

1. Whether the Kolkata Municipal Corporation is required to conclude demolition and unauthorized construction proceedings against Ravi Sanei within a specific timeline

Source reference: para. 4

2. Whether the reports filed by KMC necessitate the initiation of formal proceedings against Park Guest House for alleged illegal construction

Source reference: para. 5
03

Law Applied

The Court applied Section 400(1) of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980, which empowers the Municipal Commissioner to issue stop-work notices and initiate proceedings for the demolition or alteration of buildings erected without or in violation of sanctioned plans

Source reference: para. 2

The court exercised its Constitutional Writ Jurisdiction to ensure the administrative body performed its statutory duty under the Act to bring illegal construction issues to a logical conclusion

Source reference: paras. 4-5
04

Reasoning

The Court noted that KMC's reports admitted the existence of illegal construction at the subject premises

Source reference: para. 2

the Court found the authorities' actions inconsistent, as they had proceeded against Ravi Sanei but remained "conspicuously silent" regarding Park Guest House despite their own report indicating illegalities there

Source reference: paras. 2, 4

By directing an expedited conclusion of the Sanei proceedings and the immediate commencement of proceedings against Park Guest House, the Court sought to rectify the municipality's administrative delay and vagueness in enforcing the KMC Act

Source reference: paras. 4-5

The Court determined that since the municipality was already active in the process, keeping the writ petitions pending would serve no further purpose provided strict timelines were imposed

Source reference: para. 4
05

Holding

The Court disposed of both writ petitions with specific directions

Regarding Ravi Sanei, KMC was directed to conclude the proceedings within two weeks

Source reference: para. 4

Regarding Park Guest House, KMC was ordered to initiate appropriate proceedings under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act within one week and bring them to a logical conclusion within four weeks thereafter

Source reference: para. 5

The stay on the demolition notice in WPA 7370 of 2026 was effectively superseded by the direction to conclude the proceedings expeditiously

Source reference: para. 4
Calcutta High Court

Original Court PDF

M/S SEVEN POINT MOTORS PRIVATE LIMITEDvsTHE KOLKATA MUNICIPAL CORPORATION AND ORS

Calcutta High Court · May 13, 2026

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