Warehouse collapse in Kolkata kills 11, sparks political blame game

A warehouse under construction in the Taratala area of Kolkata collapsed on [date], resulting in the deaths of 11 workers. The incident has triggered a political confrontation in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari accusing the previous Trinamool Congress administration of corruption and irregularities that led to the disaster.

Speaking in the State Assembly, Adhikari alleged that the building plan for the warehouse was approved through corrupt practices. He specifically named former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, claiming Hakim had signed off on the design. “No one will be spared,” Adhikari said, adding that an officer on special duty to Hakim, Kalicharan Banerjee, was central to the approval process. Police arrested Banerjee later that day in connection with the collapse.

Adhikari’s remarks drew sharp responses from Trinamool Congress leaders. Kunal Ghosh, a party MLA, stated that if Hakim is found guilty, he should face arrest. Mahua Moitra, a Trinamool MP, questioned the government’s double standards, pointing out that while opposition figures are often arrested for minor offences, no action has been taken against those responsible for the collapse that killed 11 people.

Firhad Hakim, who recently broke away from Mamata Banerjee’s faction to join a rebel group led by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, has been trying to build bridges with the current BJP government. He was seen advising new BJP MLAs on assembly procedures. The reference to “Camac Street” in Adhikari’s speech is understood to be a dig at Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee, who operated from that address.

An FIR against Kalicharan Banerjee was already registered during the previous Trinamool regime, according to sources close to Abhishek Banerjee. The arrest has intensified the political fallout, with both sides trading accusations. The incident has also raised questions about building safety regulations and oversight in Kolkata’s construction sector.