New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday rebuked the arguments by flat owners seeking a week's extension to vacate the four flat complexes in Maradu.
The apex court had ordered the demolition of four flat complexes violating the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
Justice Arun Mishra lashed out at the arguments and pointed out that the flat owners were given ample time to vacate. They were testing the patience of the court, he observed.
He also warned that they would be held in contempt of the court if they persisted with the arguments.
The Supreme Court had ordered for the demolition of the apartment complexes -– H20 Holy Faith, Alpha Serene, Golden Kayaloram and Jain Coral Cove – on May 8 for violation of CRZ norms.
Justice Arun Mishra also made it clear that there can't be any alterations to the verdict.
Officials also informed that a few of the flats still remained closed. It was assumed that their owners were Non-Residential Indians (NRIs). Though efforts were made to contact them, not all have been successful. A few NRIs had reached Kochi on Thursday morning.
The revenue department has been tasked with vacating these closed-flats before the demolition drive begins. The furniture and household items inside these flats will be stored away, they said.
As the deadline ended on Thursday, most of the buildings were emptied of its residents and movable assets. Occupants of 243 out of 326 flats have vacated, government sources had told Manorama Online.
Emotional scenes were witnessed at the apartments as the residents finally gave up their protests.
Meanwhile, the government has allocated Rs 1 crore to Maradu municipality to meet the expenses for emptying the flats and rehabilitating its residents. The Finance department granted the money after considering a request from the municipality. The money was taken from the fund for local administrative bodies.
The Crime Branch has seized from the Maradu municipality the main files on the construction of these flats. The officers also questioned two people, who were ruling council members when Maradu was a panchayat. The statements of the flat owners were also taken.
The apex court had last week instructed the government to complete the demolition within 138 days.
