Siliguri, 06th June: Acting on a High Court directive, the Siliguri Municipal Corporation carried out a major demolition drive at Planet Mall on Sevoke Road, removing illegal construction inside a clothing showroom. The action triggered panic across the mall premises.
According to information, the former secretary of the mall had filed multiple complaints regarding the illegal construction inside the building. Following legal proceedings, the High Court declared the structure illegal and ordered its removal within a fixed timeframe.
On Saturday evening, the municipal team, accompanied by police personnel, reached the spot and demolished parts of the unauthorized structure, including sections of lifts and staircases. Tight security arrangements were put in place during the operation.
After the demolition, allegations and counter-allegations surfaced within the mall management. The former secretary welcomed the action, claiming that his long-standing fight against injustice had finally succeeded. He also alleged that the illegal construction was carried out with the alleged involvement of the then Trinamool Congress-run municipal board, and that he was threatened and removed from his post for raising objections.
He further claimed that several other unauthorized constructions still exist in the mall and raised concerns over fire safety compliance and licensing issues, stating that his legal battle will continue.
The current secretary of Planet Mall, however, rejected all allegations, stating that the action was taken strictly as per the High Court’s order and accused the former secretary of trying to damage the mall’s reputation.
The incident has once again brought Planet Mall into the spotlight, with questions being raised over alleged irregularities and scrutiny on the municipal corporation and fire department.