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Calcutta High Court Faults KMC, Orders ₹30 Lakh Payouts and Independent Probe in 2021 Sewer Deaths

The bench enforced the Supreme Court’s 2023 compensation benchmark, setting strict timelines for investigation and oversight.

Overview

  • Families of the four deceased must receive ₹30 lakh each, after deducting the ₹10 lakh already paid, within three months, and each of the three injured workers must get ₹5 lakh within two months.
  • The court held the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and state authorities responsible for “serious lacunae and negligence” in the Khudghat desilting operation.
  • An independent investigation report is due within four weeks, with the bench criticizing Regent Park police for registering an FIR against unknown persons and providing no status updates.
  • The state must constitute the monitoring committee required under the 2013 law within 30 days, and authorities must file compliance reports.
  • The State Legal Services Authority was directed to ensure timely disbursal and legal aid, as the case exposed unlawful manual scavenging practices under a KEIIP project.