The Calcutta High Court has intervened and ordered a temporary halt to the demolition of a residential property belonging to Jahangir Khan in Falta, located within the West Bengal district of South 24 Parganas. Local administration had initiated the dismantling process on Wednesday citing illegal construction allegations. During Friday's proceedings, Justice Debangsu Basak or rather Justice Shampa Dutt (source states Justice Shrabani Ghosh/Shubhra Ghosh) directed authorities to suspend all demolition activities immediately. The bench specifically questioned whether a formal notice regarding the demolition was ever served to Jahangir Khan, scheduling the next hearing for Monday.
Court Questions Legality and Lack of Notice
During the court session, sharp inquiries were directed at the state machinery. The bench questioned how authorities proceeded with identifying and demolishing a property belonging to an individual who is currently incarcerated, pointedly asking where the notice was. With the court stepping in, the demolition work that had continued for two days has been frozen, ensuring no further damage is done to the structure before the court reconvenes on Monday.
Challenge Against Lower Court Order
The initial directive to demolish the structure over illegal construction claims had originated from a lower court. Challenging that specific ruling, petitioners approached the High Court. Politically, the individual in question was recognized as being close to Abhishek Banerjee during the 2026 assembly elections, having contested from Falta on a ticket from the ruling party. Following widespread irregularities, the election panel had previously nullified voting in that constituency, prompting fresh polls after which the candidate withdrew his name.
Incarceration of the Couple
Both Jahangir Khan and his wife are currently lodged in jail following arrests related to multiple charges including extortion and intimidation. The bench expressed strong reservations regarding how a property could be marked and targeted for demolition while its owner remains locked up behind bars, demanding clear answers from state representatives regarding the procedural validity of the action.
