KMC starts process to suspend Kolkata ex-mayor’s OSD

Kolkata: Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Saturday initiated proceedings to suspend senior civic official Kalicharan Banerjee after his arrest in the Taratala warehouse collapse case.

Banerjee earlier served as the officer on special duty to former mayor Firhad Hakim.Civic officials said the suspension process started 48 hours after his arrest. The final order will be issued after KMC receives formal information from police. The warehouse collapse in Taratala has killed 16 people so far. Some injured workers are still being treated at SSKM Hospital.A special investigation team (SIT) is questioning Banerjee and other accused persons. Investigators suspect that Banerjee and his associates took Rs 20 lakh to help pass an illegal building plan for the Taratala site.

They also believe this was not a one-off case. According to officers, the group may have been working with developers and architecture firms for a long period to get building plans cleared without proper checks.Police are trying to find out who was part of the group and who received shares of the Rs 20 lakh. Banerjee has been questioned several times, both alone and in front of other accused persons.SIT sources said Banerjee was involved from the time the Taratala building plan was being prepared.

Abdul Hamid, a local land and property broker who has also been arrested, allegedly contacted him during the planning stage. Banerjee’s team is said to have assured that the approval would be easy and that there would be little scrutiny.Investigators claim that on paper, the project looked proper, but changes were made at the construction site. Notices may soon be sent to more people, including relatives of Sambhu Nath Behra, who have links with a Behala-based firm connected to the project.KMC sources said the building plan had been cleared by the municipal building committee, which includes municipal engineers, licensed building surveyors, structural engineers, fire officials and engineers from other govt agencies. After their approval, the municipal commissioner and the mayor sign off on the plan.KMC insiders said the problem may have happened after approval, when the site was not properly inspected. Records showed inspections, but SIT alleges the process was bypassed. Investigators are now checking whether false inspection reports were filed.