The West Bengal Fire Services Department has declared Abhishek Banerjee's Camac Street office a 'public safety hazard' and ordered an immediate evacuation due to expired safety certificates.

  • The Fire Department has ordered the immediate evacuation of the 6th, 7th, and basement floors of the office.
  • The building's Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) expired on August 10.
  • The order cites 'severe' fire safety violations and a threat to public safety.
  • Legal responsibility for safety compliance lies with the building owner, not the tenant.

In a significant development in Kolkata, the West Bengal Fire Services Department has issued an emergency notice to vacate the office premises of senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Diamond Harbour MP, Abhishek Banerjee. The order specifically targets the sixth and seventh floors, as well as the basement of the building located at 9, Abanindranath Tagore Sarani (Camac Street).

The department declared the premises a "public safety hazard," citing severe non-compliance with fire safety norms. According to officials, while the occupants (Banerjee's representatives) appeared for hearings and provided necessary lease documentation, the building owner failed to respond to previous notices regarding the maintenance of safety systems. The department emphasized that under the West Bengal Fire Services Act, 1950, the onus of obtaining and renewing the Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) rests solely on the property owner.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this enforcement action highlights the critical tension between administrative safety mandates and high-profile political occupancy. Failure to adhere to fire safety protocols in densely populated commercial zones like Camac Street poses an imminent risk not just to the occupants, but to the entire surrounding neighborhood.

Safety compliance is non-negotiable in high-occupancy commercial buildings, regardless of the political stature of the tenants.

The official notice revealed that the building's Fire Safety Certificate had expired on August 10. The owner had been previously advised to renew the certificate but failed to do so. Consequently, the department has directed that these floors must not be used for any purpose until adequate fire safety measures are implemented and a valid certificate is obtained.

This administrative action comes amidst a period of heightened tension in the area. Recently, an altercation occurred between TMC supporters and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials regarding the removal of a billboard. Furthermore, police have recently arrested six individuals following an alleged assault on party workers at the site.

Did You Know?: Fire safety audits in commercial buildings are mandatory periodic requirements to ensure that emergency exits and suppression systems are functional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Why is the office being vacated?
Answer: The evacuation is due to the expiration of the Fire Safety Certificate and the failure of the building owner to implement necessary safety measures.

Question 2: Is Abhishek Banerjee responsible for this violation?
Answer: No, the Fire Department stated that the legal responsibility for maintaining fire safety systems and renewing certificates lies with the building owner.