Owners of apartments facing demolition to file revision petition

Kochi: Apartment owners and builders of the residential towers in Maradu ordered by the Supreme Court to be demolished for want of statutory clearances, are planning to approach the apex court with a review petition.

Apart from the move of the owners,  apartment owners have also reached an understanding to seek a revision of the order by the court separately and collectively,  pleading that they should not be made to pay for the fault of  Kerala Coastal zone Management Authority (KCZMA),  J Paul Raj,  Director of Alfa Ventures,  one of the apartment blocks ordered to be demolished, said at a press conference.

The construction activities were started after all due  approvals were obtained,  and the Authority's contention to the contrary was meaningless.  He pointed out that mapping in Maradu was conducted only in 2012,  and Alfa Ventures had moved the court in 2007 because Maradu Panchayat issued a show cause notice after releasing construction permit.

The panchayat submitted its affidavit on the case in which the plot was established as coming under CRZ Category 2.   This stand of Maradu panchayat was neither opposed nor any complaint against it  filed,  by the KCZMA.

Paul Raj alleged that KCZMA filed a petition in the Supreme Court concealing this fact.

The Supreme Court directive is for Maradu Municipality to enforce the order within a month and submit its report.  The other buildings ordered for demolition are Holiday Heritage,  Holiday Faith, Jain Housing and Kayaloram Apartment.