In a special Sunday sitting, the Calcutta High Court on July 19 directed authorities to immediately stop all ongoing demolition work at the Diamond Harbour parliamentary office of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee in Amtala, South 24 Parganas district. Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury ordered that status quo be maintained on the nature, character and possession of the property until further orders or the next hearing, which is expected before a regular bench by the end of July. The court also directed the West Bengal government to produce the entire case records relating to the building.
The South 24 Parganas district administration launched the anti-encroachment action on Saturday, July 18. Officials said the five-storey structure on Diamond Harbour Road, which functioned as Banerjee’s constituency office, had been constructed without an approved building plan and in violation of applicable rules. Notices had been issued on June 30 and July 7, which authorities claimed went unanswered. An order for demolition was reportedly passed by the District Magistrate/Executive Officer on July 15.
Heavy security arrangements, including West Bengal Police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel, were deployed. Three bulldozers were used to dismantle a shed in front of the building and then the front portion of the structure. Fire and Emergency Services personnel were present as a precaution. During the drive, police recovered computers, laptops, files and other items from the premises.
The property is owned by Leaps and Bounds Pvt Ltd, a company with which Banerjee is associated (he has been described as its CEO in separate Enforcement Directorate proceedings). Abhishek Banerjee strongly condemned the action, describing it as a politically motivated vendetta by the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal following the party’s victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. He maintained that the office was constructed legally on purchased land after obtaining all necessary permissions.
In statements and posts on X, Banerjee accused the police of turning into “lawbreakers.” He alleged that the drive amounted to “theft in uniform,” claiming videos showed police personnel alongside BJP supporters removing trunks containing laptops, printers, documents, furniture and other items. He asserted that the action violated Supreme Court and Calcutta High Court rulings against arbitrary bulldozer demolitions and said the matter was already sub judice.
“Those meant to uphold the law have become lawbreakers. Shame on West Bengal Police!” Banerjee said. He expressed full faith in the judiciary and indicated the party would pursue legal remedies, including approaching higher courts if required. He also warned that similar actions could one day be taken against BJP offices if political equations changed.
Leaps and Bounds Pvt Ltd filed an urgent writ petition challenging the demolition as “gross, malicious and illegal.” The All India Trinamool Congress was named as a proforma respondent because its party office functioned from the premises.
Senior Advocate Kishore Dutta, appearing for the company, argued that the demolition violated statutory procedure and principles of natural justice. He submitted that the owner had not been given a proper hearing after the notices, that no complaint or final order had been served on the owner, and that the process required consideration by a hearing officer followed by a decision of the Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad. “We were not given a hearing after serving of notice. The minimum I can get is an opportunity to respond to their allegations. They went and demolished it before I could take any steps,” Dutta told the court. He also alleged that items were being “looted” in the presence of authorities.
Senior Advocate Ayan Bhattacharyya appeared for the TMC. The state was not initially represented; the court directed fresh service. Observing that there was nothing on record at that stage, Justice Basu Chowdhury passed the interim order restraining further demolition and requiring the government to place all documents before the court. The judge clarified that the court was not examining the merits of the case at this stage. BJP leaders defended the action as enforcement of the law against unauthorised construction. Union Minister of State and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar said the office was illegal and challenged Banerjee to produce the relevant papers if he claimed otherwise. BJP supporters celebrated the drive in the area, raising slogans.
The High Court’s interim order brings temporary relief while the legality of the construction and the procedure followed by the administration will be examined in further hearings. The next listing is expected before the end of Jul
