Tripura govt orders Bharat Ratna Club to demolish building erected on public property within 1 week

In the notification sent to the president and secretary of the club on July 8, it was mentioned that the building was erected in the name of the club on public property.

The notice signed by estate officer of Sadar Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office reads, “… it appears that you have erected a building / structure etc.in the name of ‘Bharat Ratna Club (Sangha)’ in the public premises described in schedule below in contravention of the provisions of Sub-Section (1) of Section 6 of the Tripura Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1982”.

It further reads, “You are hereby directed to remove the said building of ‘ Bharat Ratna Club (Sangha)’ within seven days of the service of this notice or to show cause by 15/07/2024 as to why you shall not remove the said constructed building in the name of Bharat Ratna Club”.

On the issue, West District Magistrate Vishal Kumar said that the land is nearly one acre and the area in front of the Bharat Ratna Club building is also khas land.

“The police have sought an inquiry report on the land status of Bharat Ratna Club. It was found to be khas land and a structure and one or two buildings were found erected on it. It was instructed to remove the building and if it is not done within seven days, then it will be removed by the government,” Kumar said.

Durga Prasanna Deb alias Viki Deb, secretary of Bharat Ratna Sangha, one of the biggest social clubs of the state was shot dead while he was inside his car near the Border Security Force’s (BSF) headquarters at Shalbagan on the outskirts of Agartala on April 30.

In the preliminary investigation, the police found that enmity between two groups within the club led to the sensational murder.

Later, the police arrested Pradyut Dhar Chowdhury, former president of Bharat Ratna Sangha, his collaborator Sushmita Sarkar, shooter Bir Chakraborty and one of the prime murder accused for their alleged connection to the murder. One of the accused is still absconding.