TAPABRATA CHAKRABORTY,J. - (1.) Mr. Mukherjee, learned advocate appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is a Sebait of the Trust Estate viz., Sree Sree Jateswar Shib Thakur. In spite of specific prohibition under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, the State authorities are proceeding to construct a Krishak Bazar within the prohibitory and regulatory area in and around the mounds and ancient monuments at Mahanad, district Hooghly, which has been declared as a site of national importance.
(2.) Drawing the attention of this Court to a document annexed at page 29 of the writ petition, Mr. Mukherjee submits that the Superintending Archaeologist himself has written to the respondent no.4 stating inter alia that during a recent inspection at the site it has been found that a huge building complex known as Krishak Bazar has been constructed on the mounds by the Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal at a distance of fifty-five metres from the north-east corner of the protected site. The State authorities have also not obtained permission for making such construction.
(3.) Mr. Singhania, learned advocate appearing for the respondent nos.1-3 and 5 submits that during pendency of the writ petition the respondent no.4, by a letter dated 19th March, 2018, has sought for necessary approval from the respondent no.5.;