4 min readKolkataMay 13, 2026 06:36 PM IST
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday said that the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department has been asked to demolish the illegal leather goods manufacturing factory at Tiljala, in which two workers lost their lives in a fire on Tuesday.
“Two owners of the illegal factory — Sheikh Nasir and Samir Mahammed — were arrested. We have already asked Kolkata Municipal Corporation to disconnect the drinking water connection to that building,” he told reporters.
According to the latest reports, soon after the CM’s announcement, West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) disconnected electricity to the building, and authorities have started the demolition process.
The incident took place at a multi-storey building on GJ Khan Road in the Tiljala area of East Kolkata, in which five people have also sustained burn injuries. Their condition is said to be critical.
A probe report found that the leather factory was operating illegally without an approved building plan and had failed to comply with basic fire and electrical safety norms, Adhikari told reporters.
He said the government has asked Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) to make a special audit in the areas so that electricity to illegal constructions or buildings without a proper building plan will be disconnected permanently. “We have zero tolerance for such illegal construction or factories. Those who are doing production in such an environment will be asked to shift their location. Otherwise, all have to face such consequences.”
According to local people, the fire broke out on the second floor of the building and spread instantly. The fire department was alerted after residents noticed the blaze. Four fire engines rushed to the spot one by one.
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The state government on Wednesday cleared the legal tangle of corruption probe files on officials that had been withheld for four years. This means that there will no longer be a hindrance for the CBI to file a chargesheet or conduct a full investigation against the accused officers of the Education, Municipalities, and Cooperation departments.
‘Zero tolerance’ policy on corruption
According to administrative rules, the state government’s sanction for prosecution is required to file a charge sheet against a government officer. CM Adhikari alleged, “The outgoing chief minister and home minister (Mamata Banerjee) withheld this permission. As a result, the CBI could not take legal action against many officers despite evidence of corruption.”
“People have a lot of expectations from the new government. We will follow a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on corruption. No illegal activity will be tolerated,” Adhikari added.
Mamata’s government tortured potato farmers
From Wednesday, the state government lifted a ban on exporting potatoes and other products to other parts of the country.
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Adhikari said, “The outgoing government tortured potato farmers and businessmen. We lifted the ban, and now all potato farmers and traders can supply potatoes to other states. Not only that, all vegetables and fishes can be supplied to other states. No enforcement department, and the police can stop carrying vegetables or fish to supply other states.”
