Madhumita Khanra v. State of West Bengal and Ors.
Case brief
What is this about?
Encroachment on West Bengal State Highway/Government land by private respondent no. 13; writ petitioner's complaint letter dated 05.01.2024; no action by authorities; directions to respondent no. 7, Assistant Engineer, PWD Roads, Howrah Highway Division, to enquire within 30 days and, if merit found, initiate and conclude proceedings under Section 10, West Bengal Highways Act, 1964 within 90 days; ex parte hearing against absent respondent no. 13; writ petition WPA 5439 of 2024 disposed of; single Judge (Partha Sarathi Sen, J.), order dated 04.04.2025.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition disposed of with directions: (i) respondent no. 7, Assistant Engineer, PWD Roads, Howrah Highway Division, to conduct an enquiry into the petitioner's letter dated 05.01.2024 within 30 days of communication of the order, after securing the presence of the writ petitioner and respondent no. 13; (ii) on finding sufficient merit, to initiate a proceeding under Section 10 of the West Bengal Highways Act, 1964 forthwith and conclude it within 90 days of communication of the order; (iii) liberty to the petitioner's Advocate to communicate the server copy of the order to respondent no. 7, who is directed to act on the server copy.