Relief for Abhishek Banerjee: HC halts demolition drive of TMC MP's Amtala office

NEW DELHI: The Calcutta high court on Sunday directed authorities to halt all demolition work at Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee's office in South 24 Parganas' Amtala, until further orders.The direction came hours after an anti-encroachment drive was launched at the closed office premises amid heavy security arrangements. Officials had begun the demolition exercise as part of the anti-encroachment operation in the area.Following the high court's intervention, the demolition work has been stopped, and no further action will be taken at the site until the court issues fresh directions.A day earlier, senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee had alleged that the demolition of the party's Amtala office was politically motivated, asserting that the building was constructed legally on land purchased by the party after obtaining all necessary permissions.Accusing the local administration of acting in collusion with the BJP-led government, Abhishek had announced that the TMC would challenge the demolition before the Calcutta high court.The South 24 Parganas district administration had demolished the TMC MP's party office in Amtala on Saturday, claiming that the structure had been built without an approved building plan and in violation of applicable rules, according to a senior official.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.