Plea to remove asbestos from roof

Kolkata: Calcutta high court on Wednesday admitted a petition against the use of asbestos and asphalt on the terrace of the second floor of the main court building. The petition was moved by Ashis Mitra, a resident of Tarak Dutta Road in Kolkata.
Mitra had written to PWD and high court registrars on April 12, seeking removal of carcinogenic asbestos and asphalt from the roof of the court.He moved the petition after no steps were taken.
Asbestos and asphalt are used on the roofs of at least 10 courtrooms, as well as the portico outside, five Bar Association rooms, the Bar Library, study room of the Bar Association and the department of 1st Assistant Registrar. The carcinogenic material poses a health risk to litigants, judges and lawyers, the petitioner pointed out.
"Exposure to asbestos causes a range of diseases, like lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings), and asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs). All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans. According to the most recent WHO estimates, more than 1,07,000 people die each year from asbestos-related diseases. Approximately half of the deaths from occupational cancer are estimated to be caused by asbestos," advocate Phiroze Edulji submitted on Mitra's behalf.
Justice Dipankar Datta observed that the matter is very serious and placed it for hearing on June 7. "If the determination is changed till then, there will be no problem. If not, I shall release the matter on that date as I am a member of the building committee of the court," the judge said.