Calcutta High Court Orders Further Inspection By Civic Body After Building Partly Collapses At City's La Martiniere For Boys School

After a building partially collapsed at Kolkata's La Martiniere for Boys school, the Calcutta High Court has directed the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to file a proper report regarding the state of the almost 200-year-old heritage structure and the repairs needed to restore the same.

A vacation bench of Justices Ravi Kishan Kapur and Supratim Bhattacharya held:

"It is a matter of some concern that the Report which has been filed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation is lacking in particulars and is not in compliance with the order dated 30 May, 2025 whether in letter or spirit. The casual and cavalier attitude of the Corporation in a matter such as this is unacceptable. In view of the above, let a further inspection be carried out by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation peremptorily on 8 June, 2025 between 12 pm and 3 pm. A representative of each of the parties is also directed to be present at such inspection. An advance copy of the Report be also served on the Advocate-on-Record appearing on behalf of the appellants."

The present application had been necessitated due to an incident which had occurred on 21 May, 2025, when the schools were closed for the summer vacation. A portion of the school building in the Boys' School had collapsed. 

On behalf of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and on behalf of the West Bengal Heritage Commission, two separate Reports were filed in Court. 

On examination of the report filed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, it appears that there has been no compliance with the order dated 30 May, 2025. By the order dated 30 May, 2025, both the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the Heritage Commission were directed to file a report as to whether any repair work was found to be necessary in the respective buildings in both the schools.

It was admitted on behalf of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation that the only inspection which has been carried out is in respect of a few selected rooms and not the entirety of the buildings.

In view of the above, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation was directed to file an additional report, highlighting whether any repair work is necessary in either of the two schools, in terms of the order dated 30 May 2025.

Court also directed that if the urgency of the situation so requires, the KMC and the Heritage Commission shall take necessary steps in accordance with law and will not wait for any order of Court.

Click here to read order