KOCHI: Residents of Chander Kunj Army Towers at Silver Sand Island in Vyttila have filed a writ petition seeking an inquiry by CBI or other competent central agency into the irregularities behind the construction of the two towers. Multiple agencies that inspected the building had in their reports said the towers were unsafe for living.
Earlier, Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru (IISc), which carried out a review and structural assessment as per a Kerala high court order, recommended the demolition of the twin towers in the AWHO housing complex.
Major Prince Jose (retd) and Captain Erinjeri Joseph Paul (retd) are the petitioners in the writ petition, which was filed at the high court on Oct 8. It stated the first petitioner is a retired Army officer and a Kargil war veteran with 75% disability, and the second a retired Army officer, both owners and residents of apartments.
The petitioners submitted that after they took possession, the apartment buildings experienced serious structural defects and damage. The buildings started leaking, and concrete started cracking and falling from all over the high-rise buildings. It became apparent from various technical studies and inquiries that the project suffered due to gross malpractices and corruption by various individuals and agencies,, the petition said.
It further stated that one of the owners approached JFCM 8, Ernakulam with the complaint, and the court directed the Maradu SHO to investigate the complaint, leading to an FIR registration.
Another owner submitted a complaint to SHO Maradu and the Kochi police commissioner, and FIR No.1022 dated June 6, 2023, was registered. The petition alleged that no progress was known about the FIR.
The owners filed several Writ Petitions (Civil) in the HC seeking evacuation of the buildings, buy-back options, compensation, etc. The court ordered a structural audit by the IISc, and a copy of the report recommends that “The structures of towers B and C need to be demolished to avoid any casualties in the future.”
The petition sought the court issue an appropriate order or direction directing the CBI or any competent central agency to investigate the FIRs and other criminal complaints in the case and to prosecute the persons who indulged in malpractices and corruption, causing huge financial losses and threat to the life and properties of the inhabitants and the public.
The petition was filed naming the defence secretary, state police chief, Kochi police commissioner, Maradu SHO, AWHO MD, Army Towers residents’ welfare association president, and CBI director as respondents. First hearing on the petition was held on Oct 15 and the next posting is on Dec 3.
Meanwhile, Colonel (retd) Ciby George, a resident, said that the delay in evacuation from the apartment complexes is increasing their anxiety as they are still living in the building found unsuitable for living by multiple agencies.
