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IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA
SMITA DAS DE
Jagruti Componics (P) Ltd. – Appellant
Versus
Kolkata Municipal Corporation – Respondent
JUDGMENT :
SMITA DAS DE, J.
1. In the instant writ petition the petitioner company has challenged an Order dated 12th July, 2023 issued by the Executive Engineer (Civil), E&H Department, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “KMC”).
2. Apropo, the facts of the case is that the petitioner being a Private Limited Company is seized and possessed of a piece and parcel of vacant bastu land (homestead) measuring about 6 cottahs 3 chittack and 25 Sq.Ft. more or less lying and situated at premises No. 328, Diamond Harbour Road, Kolkata. Before its amalgamation, it was two separate plots of land being No. 323, Vidyasagar Sarani, (James Long Sarani), Kolkata-700063 as A/1 and 470, Vidyasagar Sarani (James Long Sarani), Kolkata-700063 as B/1. The petitioner purchased the aforesaid two plots of land and mutated its name in the Records of the BL&LRO (Block Land & Land Reforms Office), Thakurpukur, District South 24 Parganas, being the respondent No. 5, earmarking the nature and character of the land and clarified as ‘Bastu’ land in the records of the BL&LRO. Thereafter, the petitioner company filed an application for mutation cum amalgamation before the concerned department of
Notice to restore land classified as 'Bastu' without proper inquiry is arbitrary; judicial review mandates reasoned decisions backed by evidence.
Conversion of water bodies is strictly prohibited without state approval under the Inland Fisheries Act, reaffirming authority to restore such areas and enforce statutory protections.
Authorities must comply with court orders for environmental restoration as mandated by statute, failure of which may lead to enforcement actions.
Riverbed or water body land cannot be regularized under policy citing Section 132 of U.P.Z.A. & L.R. Act; writ courts cannot re-examine factual reports submitted by authorities.
Point of law : water bodies cannot be alienated even if they are dry and cultivation carried on dried bed of water bodies does not denude land of its character as water bodies.
The duty to restore and conserve wetlands is a constitutional responsibility, overriding private property disputes, under the East Kolkata Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Act, 2006.
The NGT affirmed that local authorities must enforce environmental laws to protect water bodies from illegal filling and dumping, emphasizing restoration and compliance responsibilities.
The decision emphasizes legal duties to protect public water bodies from illegal filling and encroachment, highlighting compliance with environmental regulations.
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