Calcutta High Court Directs State Govt To Rehabilitate Locals Displaced By Garden Reach Building Collapse

The Calcutta High Court has directed the state government to take measures to rehabilitate those who were displaced in the fatal building collapse at Garden Reach, where a five-storey under-construction building collapsed leading to falling debris killing several people in the area nearby, and injuring many others.

A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya heard the matter, directed the state to file an affidavit detailing the remedial measures taken by the state towards those who were displaced in the collapse and for the advocate general to obtain instructions regarding the stance of the state. It said:

"State shall endeavour to rehabilitate those persons who have been displaced and provide them necessary shelter and support them with adequate ration material so they will be able to take care of themselves. List the matter on 4th April."

The plea had been mentioned before the Chief Justice's bench earlier, which had issued notice to the State. It was contended that the building was an illegal construction and that through connivance with the local municipality, it was allowed to remain and not demolished.

Counsel for the petitioner stated that demolition notices had been issued to other buildings in the area, but not the building which collapsed.  It was stated that those who were standing under the building or nearby were among the fatalities, but the building itself was unoccupied.

It was also argued that several other unauthorised buildings which posed similar risks had been allowed to go unchecked in the area.

 Accordingly, the plea was posted for hearing on 4th April 2024.

Case: RAKESH SINGH VS STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.

Case No: WPA(P)/136 of 2024