Time seems to be running out for the residents of over 450 flats in Kochi’s Marad. As the first step towards the Supreme Court ordered demolition, the state government on Wednesday asked the local authorities to cut the power and water supply to flats for violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

The Maradu municipal authorities have been issued notice to implement the decision to stop water and power supply within three days. The news is another setback for flat owners who have invested their life savings in the flat. Kerala government has also decided to register a criminal case against the builders of Maradu flats.

The Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front government has decided to take stringent action after the apex court rap over delay in demolition. Yesterday, the SC had warned the Kerala Chief Secretary that he will be held personally liable for inaction. Justice Arun Mishra, heading the bench,  expressed serious unhappiness over the Kerala Government delay in not executing the May 8 order directing demolition of the Maradu flats built in what it found violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

The cabinet meeting on Wednesday decided to register criminal case against the builders of Maradu apartment complexes, which was ordered for demolition. It also decided to charge compensation from the builders and use it to take up government-administered rehabilitation of the residents. Chief secretary Tom Jose presented the proceedings of Supreme Court when the case was taken up on Monday. He also presented the draft action to demolish the apartment complexes.

—India Legal Bureau