Clocked Out: Calcutta HC Strikes Down Garia’s Timepiece

In a historic ruling, the Calcutta High Court ordered the Garia clock tower to be demolished, terming it an illegal building on government land. The ruling came after a court case initiated by the members of the Garia Mitali Sangha Club, in which the tower stands intact.

Major Developments:

The clock tower was constructed without a sanctioned building plan of the Kolkata Munincipal Corporation (KMC).

It takes up 84 decimals of a 1937-established playground, causing alarm regarding the encroachment of public space.

Justice Gaurang Kanth instructed the KMC to demolish the building within two months.

Legal and Civic Implications:

The Borough XI of the KMC verified in its report that the structure lacked official approval, further strengthening the cause for its demolition.

The court directive enhances the importance of adherence to rules and maintenance of public spaces.

The judgment clears the path for other illegal constructions in Kolkata.

Community Response:

The petitioners, the club's acting president and joint secretary, contended that the tower was an encroachment into the utility and heritage of the playground.

Residents reacted in a polarized manner—some favor the choice for the playground reconstruction, while others mourn the loss of a symbolic structure.

With the countdown underway, the fate of the Garia clock tower now ticks towards destruction.

Sources: Times of India, World News, Hindustan Times