Cal HC admits PIL, seeks arrest of leather factory owner

Kolkata, Nov 24(UNI) A division bench of Calcutta High Court today admitted a public interst litigation, seeking arrest of the owner of a leather factory that gutted in a fire on November 22 and dismantling of illegal buildings in Topsia on the eastern fringe of the city.

The division bench, comprising Justice Prabir Kumar Samanta and Justice Kalidas Mukherjee directed the PIL to be filed. The hearing of the PIL, filed by United Minority Forum, will be held next week.

In his appeal, Forum Counsel Idris Ali said while ten workers were killed in the devastating fire, the owner of the factory was absconding. The police have so far failed to arrest either him or the owner of the house, which was illegally constructed.

Mr Ali said construction of illegal buildings was increasing in Kolkata and the Corporation was not taking any action. Measures should be taken on the line of Delhi for dismantling of such structures,he added.

UNI KDG KK/SRC1959