Police detained Kalicharan Banerjee, also known as Kali, the former Officer on Special Duty to ex-Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, in connection with the roof collapse of an under-construction warehouse in Kolkata’s Taratala area. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari referenced him in a speech, hinting at his involvement in irregularities within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). Banerjee, a key figure in KMC and close to Hakim, is under scrutiny for his alleged influence over building approvals.
Kalicharan Banerjee, previously a state government employee and ex-West Bengal Police member, transitioned to administrative roles and became a significant figure within KMC. He served as Firhad Hakim’s OSD and held sway over approval processes for major construction projects in Kolkata. The collapsed warehouse had received KMC approval, with questions now arising about the structural integrity and approval procedures.
Investigations into the warehouse collapse have led to the arrest of five individuals, including Shambhunath Behra, the owner of the company leasing the warehouse land. Allegations of irregularities in the construction process, including faulty design and lack of soil testing, are being probed. The incident has raised concerns about the oversight of construction activities in Kolkata’s port area, which falls under Firhad Hakim’s constituency.
