Calcutta, Aug. 22: Calcutta High Court today passed an interim order staying criminal proceedings against Haldia municipality chairperson Tamalika Panda Seth for allegedly leasing out a water body to a private agency illegally.

Police had started a criminal case against Tamalika, wife of CPM leader Lakshman Seth, after the Trinamul-run Haldia Development Authority (HDA) lodged an FIR against her.

Justice Dipankar Dutta said: “Prima facie, this court is of the opinion that (the) Haldia municipality did not commit any wrong by leasing out the water body.’’ He added a detailed hearing was needed and asked the HDA to file an affidavit-in-opposition in eight weeks.

“The case will come up for hearing after 10 weeks,’’ Justice Dutta said.

On July 23, HDA CEO P. Ulaganathan had lodged the FIR alleging that Tamalika had leased out a 9.68-acre water body belonging to the authority to businessman Shiraz Khan to construct a resort.

“The HDA had given the water body to the Haldia municipality in 1994 on a 10-year lease,’’ the complaint states.

Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya furnished documents showing the HDA had renewed the lease agreement on August 10, 2000, for 99 years.

Tamalika said: “I am happy with the verdict.”

Trinamul wanted to stall development by dragging me to court.”

HDA chairperson Subhendu Adhikari said: “We will move a division bench. Let the chairperson keep in mind that criminal proceedings have only been stayed.’’