Kolkata: CM Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday said the state govt would reclaim govt land allegedly encroached upon by jailed former Trinamool strongman Jahangir Khan in Falta and use it to build houses for the poor under a govt housing scheme.“People across Bengal are watching what the administration is doing in Falta. Govt land was allegedly occupied to build a multi-storey building worth around Rs 10 crore. There was arrogance, with claims of ‘Pushpa jhukega nahi’(Pushpa won’t bow down). But under the present govt, no wrongdoing or corruption will be spared,” Adhikari said at a programme in Howrah.He indicated that similar action would follow elsewhere, including Sarberia in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas. Govt land and properties allegedly occupied illegally in the name of Sahajan Fish Market would be freed and used for development and housing for the poor, he said.His remarks came as the demolition of Khan’s allegedly illegal building in Srirampur, Falta, entered a second day under a court order. Workers resumed work around 9am with hammers, drilling machines and vibrators. CCTV cameras are being installed outside the building to record every stage of the operation and ensure transparency. Falta BDO Sandeep Singh Roy, police officers, civil defence personnel and electricity department representatives were at the site.Complaints about the construction had surfaced earlier, questioning whether it followed norms. Buildings taller than two storeys generally need a sanctioned plan from the district council. The administration began an inquiry and the matter reached court. After securing approval for demolition, it issued several notices and summoned Khan for a hearing. Administrative sources said he did not appear, and he did not remove the structure within the seven days given in a notice.Trinamool had fielded Khan from Falta in the 2026 assembly polls. He was known to be close to party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Allegations of irregularities on polling day led EC to order a repoll. Two days before it, Khan, who styled himself after the flamboyant film character Pushpa, withdrew from the contest. He was later arrested near the Nepal border on charges including extortion and intimidation. His wife was arrested afterwards. Both are in judicial custody.
