The West Bengal Fire Department on Tuesday issued a formal notice to the Camac Street office of Trinamool Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee. The notice, addressed to the office’s managing authority, lists a series of alleged safety violations that, if unremedied, could lead to the premises being sealed by the department.
According to the inspection report, the office is operating with an expired fire‑safety certificate and fails to meet basic fire‑prevention standards. Inspectors recorded inadequate water supply for firefighting, the absence of a designated fire exit, and other structural shortcomings that compromise emergency evacuation. The department’s letter also questions why the building should not be sealed pending compliance.
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Under the West Bengal Fire Service Act, any commercial or office space must maintain a valid fire‑safety certificate, ensure sufficient water pressure, and provide clearly marked escape routes. Failure to comply empowers fire officials to order the closure of the premises until corrective measures are verified. Similar notices have been served in the past to private firms and public institutions that neglected these statutory requirements, often resulting in temporary shutdowns and fines.
Abhishek Banerjee, a prominent figure in the state’s ruling party and nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, heads the office that houses his political and constituency operations. The notice arrives amid heightened scrutiny of safety standards in public and private buildings across Kolkata, where several high‑profile fire incidents have sparked public outcry. While the MP has not yet commented publicly, the development adds pressure on his party to demonstrate adherence to regulatory norms.
The fire department has indicated that it will review the documents submitted by the office in response to the notice before deciding on further action. If the deficiencies are not rectified within the stipulated timeframe, the department may proceed with sealing the office and imposing penalties as prescribed by law.
