The administration in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas has instructed Imran Molla, son of arrested Trinamool Congress leader Saokat Molla, to dismantle a cafe constructed on a river island near the Sundarbans. Imran Molla is alleged to have erected the cafeteria on a river island along the Matla river by destroying mangroves and occupying the land.
If Imran Molla fails to voluntarily remove the cafe within seven days, authorities will utilize a bulldozer to demolish the structure. The cafe, named ‘Aranyer Kule,’ was established by seizing a river island on the Matla river bank in Moukhali of South 24 Parganas district. Imran Molla is identified as the owner of the cafe.
Imran Molla’s father, Saokat Molla, was a prominent figure in South 24 Parganas and a Trinamool MLA from Canning Purba Assembly constituency. Allegations by locals suggest that Imran Molla engaged in unlawful activities due to his father’s influence. Following Saokat Molla’s defeat in the recent state Assembly elections, legal actions have been taken against him, including the controversial cafe construction.
Saokat Molla has been apprehended by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the Bhangar bomb blast case. Prior to his arrest, Imran Molla was interrogated by investigators. The Canning sub-division administration of South 24 Parganas district has now mandated the cafe’s demolition, following a notice placed at ‘Aranyer Kule’ seeking information about the establishment.
Recently, the Canning Sub-Divisional Officer has directed Imran Molla to personally dismantle the cafeteria within the next seven days. Failure to comply will result in an eviction drive by the administration, with expenses to be covered by the cafe owner. Imran Molla had been previously instructed to provide all legal documents related to the land by June 18, a requirement unmet during a recent hearing where his lawyer was present but failed to produce the necessary paperwork.
