Supreme Court Mandates Survey of Enemy Properties in Kolkata

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, September 18, 2024, Kolkata : In a significant development, the Enemy Property Department under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated a survey of enemy properties in Kolkata, following a directive from the Supreme Court. This operation commenced in the Rajabazar area, where approximately 7,000 residents currently occupy about 44 khatas of land, which includes 25 shops.

The historical context of these properties dates back to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, when many individuals migrated to Pakistan, abandoning their properties. As these properties remained unclaimed, they fell under the jurisdiction of the Enemy Property Department.

The survey is being conducted with the assistance of two battalions of Central Armed Police Forces. Initial attempts to begin this survey in February were met with resistance from local residents, prompting the department to halt its efforts. After seeking recourse from the Supreme Court, the department has now resumed its work under heightened security.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed that the survey must create a comprehensive list detailing illegal constructions on these enemy properties. This includes assessing whether any structures have been demolished, as well as compiling data on the number of residents currently living in these properties and those who are paying taxes.

Once completed, the survey report, along with the compiled lists, will be submitted to the Supreme Court and the Enemy Property Disposal Committee in Delhi.

The Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Kolkata Enemy Property In-Charge stated, "Enemy properties belong to those who migrated to other countries during the conflicts with Pakistan or China, and their rents have also been sent abroad. This government action aims to address that situation."

He further clarified that if the value of a property is below 1 crore rupees, current residents can purchase it through the Enemy Property Disposal Committee (EPDC). For properties valued above this threshold, an online bidding process will be implemented.

To streamline this process, the Central Government has outlined three primary conditions for those living in enemy properties:

• Residents must now pay property taxes directly to the Enemy Property Department, effectively removing their obligation to the Kolkata Municipality.
• Given their long-term occupation, residents may have the opportunity to purchase the properties they occupy.
• Properties must be vacated if residents choose not to comply with the established regulations; otherwise, the Enemy Property Department will initiate eviction proceedings.

In West Bengal alone, there are currently 4,301 properties under the management of the Enemy Property Department. As this survey unfolds, it will be closely monitored by both government officials and local residents, highlighting the ongoing complexities surrounding enemy property management in India.