Court emphasizes fair process and authority’s responsibility to address unauthorized constructions.

The writ petition is filed seeking direction upon the respondent authorities to take necessary steps for demolition of illegal and unauthorised construction made by private respondent No.9.

The petitioner contends that illegal and unauthorised construction has been undertaken by the private respondent no.9 encroaching the public road which falls under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sarak Yojna at Mansatala More under Bishnupur Police Station in the District of 24-Parganas (South). Representation was made before the Pradhan, Panakua Gram Panchayat, respondent no.8 on 21^st November, 2023. However, no step has been taken.

Hence, this writ petition.

Mr. Dhananjoy Banerjee, learned Advocate appearing for the petitioner submits that the respondent No.9 has undertaken illegal and unauthorised construction over his plot of land encroaching the public road under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sarak Yojna. He seeks that the matter be relegated to the Pradhan of the local Gram Panchayat to cause enquiry and dispose of the representation of the petitioner dated 21^st November, 2023.

On the contrary, Mr. Gourab Ghosh, learned Advocate for the private respondent no.9 submits that work of construction has been undertaken by the private respondent no.9 in respect of plot No.1229, J.L. No. 118, Mouja Raghabpur, Police Station Bishnupur in the District of South 24-Parganas on the basis of the permission accorded by the South 24-Parganas Zilla Parishad and as such, there is no illegality in the construction undertaken by the private respondent no.9. However, he submits that the matter may be relegated to the Pradhan of the local Gram Panchayat to take necessary steps in accordance with law.

Mr. Sujay Mandal, learned Advocate for the State appearing through virtual mode submits that the matter be considered by the Prodhan of the local Gram Panchayat.

In view of the above and considering the submissions advanced by learned Advocates for the respective parties, the respondent No.8, Pradhan, Panakua Gram Panchayat is directed to consider and dispose of the representation of the petitioner dated 21^st November, 2023 by adopting the following procedure:

(i) Cause an inspection on the property-in-question upon notice to the petitioner as well as private respondent No.9. A report of such inspection along with sketch map be prepared, which shall be handed over to the parties.

(ii) Thereafter the parties shall be heard upon notice and representation of the petitioner dated 21^st November, 2023 shall be disposed of by a reasoned order which shall be communicated to the parties within a week of passing of such orders. Parties are granted liberty to produce all relevant records and documents before the Pradhan at the time of hearing.

(iii) On the basis of materials transpiring during inspection and hearing, the proceedings shall be taken to its logical conclusion in terms of provisions of Section 23 of West Bengal Panchayat Act .

(iv) The entire exercise shall be completed within a period of two months from date of communication of this order.

The learned Advocate for the petitioner is directed to communicate this order to the respondent No.8, Pradhan, Panakua Gram Panchayat along with copy of the representation dated 21^st November, 2023.

It is made clear that this Court has not gone into the merits of this writ petition.

Since no affidavits have been called for, the allegation made in the writ petition is deemed to be not admitted.

With the aforesaid directions, the writ petition being WPA 1616 of 2024 is disposed of.

Interim order, if any, stands vacated.

All connected applications, if any, stand disposed of.