The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to compensate a family whose houses were demolished during an eviction drive in East Midnapore and ordered the construction of two new houses at the state’s expense.
Justice Parthasarathi Sen, sitting as a single judge, passed the order on Tuesday. The court directed the authorities to pay ₹10 lakh in compensation and provide suitable alternative accommodation to the affected family until the new houses are built.
Houses Demolished During Government Land Drive
The case relates to an eviction drive carried out in East Midnapore after a district wide survey was launched in 2024 to identify and recover government land.
During the survey, authorities identified two houses as allegedly having been built on government land. The structures were subsequently demolished using bulldozers by local municipal and revenue authorities.
The affected families then approached the High Court, alleging that the authorities had gone beyond the area marked for eviction and demolished houses and other property located outside the identified boundaries.
Families Challenge Eviction Procedure
In their petition, the applicants alleged that officials had failed to follow the required legal safeguards and had exceeded the specified geographical limits during the demolition.
They also claimed that the action left the affected families without homes and affected their sources of livelihood.
During the hearing, the court examined documents relating to the land boundaries, the survey and the administrative action taken during the eviction drive.
Court Finds Authorities Exceeded Their Powers
The petitioners challenged the manner in which the eviction operation was conducted, while the state government maintained that the demolition had been carried out according to applicable rules and procedures.
The court, however, found that the authorities had exceeded the limits of their lawful powers while carrying out the demolition.
The court observed that administrative authority cannot be exercised in a manner that infringes the rights of ordinary citizens.
Two Houses to Be Rebuilt Within Two Years
The High Court directed the state government to reconstruct the two demolished houses at its own expense within two years.
Until the construction is completed, the affected families must be provided suitable alternative accommodation free of cost, according to the order.
Compensation to Be Paid in Two Instalments
The court also ordered the state to pay ₹10 lakh in compensation for the consequences of the administrative action.
The amount will be paid in two equal instalments of ₹5 lakh each. The first instalment is due by October 2026, while the remaining ₹5 lakh must be paid by February 2027.
