Residents of Chander Kunj Army Towers in Vyttila have filed a writ petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in the construction of the twin towers. Following structural defects and multiple inspections deeming the towers unsafe, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) recommended their demolition. Petitioners, including retired Army officers Major Prince Jose and Captain Erinjeri Paul, claim corruption and malpractices led to the buildings' flaws. Despite multiple FIRs and court interventions, little progress has been made. Residents are urging swift action to prosecute those responsible and resolve the ongoing uncertainty about evacuation and compensation.
Residents of Chander Kunj Army Towers, located at Silver Sand Island in Vyttila, have filed a writ petition seeking an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or another competent central agency into the alleged irregularities behind the construction of the twin towers. Multiple inspections by various agencies have reported that the towers are unsafe for habitation.
Earlier this month, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, which conducted a structural review and assessment as per a Kerala High Court order, recommended the demolition of the towers in the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) complex. The writ petition, filed at the High Court, was submitted by Major Prince Jose (retd) and Captain Erinjeri Joseph Paul (retd). Both petitioners are retired Army officers and residents of the apartments, with Major Jose being a Kargil war veteran with 75% disability.
In their petition, the owners highlighted that soon after taking possession of their apartments, they noticed serious structural defects in the buildings. Issues such as leaking, cracking concrete, and falling debris became evident. The petitioners claimed that various technical studies and investigations revealed that the construction had suffered due to severe malpractices and corruption by several individuals and agencies involved in the project.
The petition further stated that one of the apartment owners lodged a complaint with the Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFCM) Court 8, Ernakulam. Following this, the court instructed the Maradu police station to investigate the complaint, which led to the registration of an FIR. Another owner also submitted a complaint to the Maradu SHO and the Kochi Police Commissioner, resulting in the registration of FIR No. 1022. However, the petitioners claimed that no progress had been made on these FIRs.
Additionally, the owners had filed several writ petitions in the High Court, requesting evacuation of the buildings, buy-back options, compensation, and other reliefs. The court ordered a structural audit by IISc, and the findings of the report strongly recommended the demolition of Towers B and C due to the imminent risk to residents. The IISc's report stated that the structures of both towers should be demolished to prevent any future casualties.
The petitioners have asked the court to issue appropriate directions for the CBI or another competent central agency to investigate the FIRs and other criminal complaints related to the case. They are seeking the prosecution of those responsible for the malpractices and corruption that led to significant financial losses and posed a serious risk to the lives and properties of the residents and the public at large.
The writ petition named several respondents, including the Defence Secretary, the State Police Chief, the Kochi Police Commissioner, the Maradu SHO, the Managing Director of AWHO, the President of the Army Towers Residents' Welfare Association, and the Director of the CBI. The first hearing of the petition was held earlier this month, with the next hearing scheduled for early December.
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