The Calcutta High Court has returned the Central Bureau of Investigation’s preliminary inquiry report into alleged financial corruption linked to illegal construction in Kolkata after the agency submitted only one copy for a two-judge division bench. The court directed the CBI to follow the required filing procedure and submit a detailed and final report at the next hearing in December.
The matter was heard on Wednesday by a division bench headed by Chief Justice Rabindra V. Ghuge. The CBI had placed a single copy of its preliminary inquiry report before the bench, although two copies are required when a case is heard by two judges. After examining the filing, the Chief Justice questioned why the agency had not followed the court’s administrative protocol.
The report was not accepted and was returned to the CBI. The court’s objection, as reported, concerned the manner in which the document was submitted rather than a judicial finding on the allegations of financial corruption or the illegal buildings under investigation.
The case covers allegations involving illegal construction in the Narkeldanga and Beleghata areas of Kolkata. The wider investigation also includes locations such as Rajabazar, Maniktala and Canal East Road, where more than 50 allegedly illegal multi-storey buildings have been identified for inquiry, according to the report submitted before the court.
The High Court had assigned the investigation to the CBI in September. Separately, the agency is examining records relating to at least 55 illegal constructions in the areas falling under the Narkeldanga and Amherst Street police station jurisdictions. The CBI has sought documents for 42 constructions from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation as part of its inquiry.
The municipal records are central to establishing how the buildings were approved, constructed or allowed to remain in place. They may also help the investigating agency examine the administrative trail connected with the alleged violations, although the supplied report does not disclose the findings of the CBI’s preliminary inquiry or identify any individuals or institutions as responsible for wrongdoing.
The High Court has instructed the CBI to resubmit the report in accordance with the prescribed procedure. The next hearing is scheduled for December, when the agency is expected to place a detailed and final report before the division bench.
