Bulldozers razed down arrested Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Saokat Molla’s son’s cafe on Thursday as district officials claimed it to be illegal.
The South 24 Parganas district administration carried out this demolition drive at Imran Molla’s cafe in the Moukhali area of Canning after it’s owners failed to relocate despite being served with a notice.
The café, named “Aranyer Kule”, had allegedly been constructed by encroaching on government land on a char (riverine sandbar) along the Matla River. It had recently drawn widespread attention on social media, prompting scrutiny from the new BJP administration.
A large police contingent, along with Central Armed Police Forces, was deployed at the site early morning on Friday to prevent any disruption during the demolition. Senior civil and police officials supervised the operation, while bulldozers first brought down the entrance gate before razing landscaped portions and other structures inside the café premises.
Officials said the administration had earlier issued a notice directing the owners to dismantle the café by 29 June. As the structure remained intact after the deadline expired, authorities proceeded with the demolition in accordance with legal procedures.
The Block Development Officer (BDO) of Canning East, under whose supervision the operation was carried out, said the construction had been found to be on government land following complaints and an official inquiry.
“There was an illegal construction on government land. After receiving complaints, a hearing was conducted and sufficient time was given to the concerned persons to remove the structure on their own. As the deadline expired without compliance, the administration initiated demolition in accordance with the law,” the BDO said.
The demolition coincided with the police custody of Saokat Molla, who is currently being interrogated in connection with a rape case registered at Jibantala police station. The simultaneous criminal investigation and administrative action have triggered intense political discussion in the area.
Reacting to the demolition, BJP leader Abhijit Das Bobby alleged that Saokat Molla and Jahangir were linked to the killings of several BJP workers in the region. He said those responsible for such crimes must be brought to justice.
“Many BJP workers were murdered, and the names of Saokat Molla and Jahangir have repeatedly surfaced. Every crime must be accounted for, but it should be done strictly through the rule of law and legal process,” Das said.
There was no immediate response from legal counsel of Saokat Molla or his family regarding the demolition. Authorities said further action, if required, would be taken in accordance with the findings of the ongoing investigation and applicable laws.