Kochi: The dispute over the evacuation and demolition of the unsafe Chander Kunj Army Towers at Vyttila took a new turn after a resident approached the Kerala High Court with a contempt petition against Ernakulam District Collector Priyanka G. 

The petition, filed by Colonel Ciby George (Retd.) of Tower C, alleged that the District Collector wilfully disobeyed the High Court’s judgment dated September 10, 2025, which required the administration to evacuate the buildings and compensate residents to facilitate relocation. George contends that while all other eligible residents received six months’ advance rent and relocation charges, he alone was denied payment. 

In his petition, George stated that he was entitled to six months’ rent at ₹35,000 per month along with a relocation allowance of ₹30,000, but the amount was never released despite unequivocal court directions. He alleged that the Collector’s conduct amounts to wilful non-compliance. 

“Respondent [the Collector] has wilfully failed to implement the directions of this Hon’ble Court by isolating this petitioner alone and not paying the said rent and relocation charges, thereby disobeying the judgment with complete disregard to the process of this Hon’ble Court,” the petition said. George argued that such actions amount to “deliberate discrimination, inaction and wrongful conduct”. 

The plea also highlights that even the administration’s own records contradict its inaction. Minutes of the committee meeting held on October 14, 2025, chaired by the District Collector acknowledged that rent had not been paid to George. During the meeting, the Collector had “directed members of AWHO and RWA to mandatorily include this petitioner’s name in the beneficiary list and take urgent measures to make payment,” said the petition. 

However, George stated that no payment was made thereafter. Instead, he was issued a notice by the Deputy Collector to vacate the flat without receiving the compensation necessary to do so. The petition alleged that this reflected “ulterior motives and a deliberate conspiracy” to deny rent to him indefinitely. 

Another contention raised by George is the Collector’s alleged failure to take action against those responsible for the building’s structural failures, despite the High Court indicating in its earlier judgement that criminal offences were identifiable. George claimed the District Collector is “acting under the influence of members of AWHO and RWA as these parties are powerful and influential,” and that the delay benefits those seeking to avoid accountability. 

While all other residents have vacated the crumbling apartments already, George and his wife are staying there. On October 24 night, a major portion of the concrete ceiling of the lobby of Tower C, where George resides, collapsed. George has said that he cannot vacate the flat without receiving the six month’s rent amount.

The High Court’s September 10 judgement had directed George to vacate his flat within seven days “alike the other residents”, implicitly guaranteeing him the same financial support provided to others for temporary resettlement.

When the matter came up for admission on Thursday, the High Court directed the government pleader to obtain detailed instructions from the Collector regarding the allegations raised in the petition. The court will consider the matter again on 18 December.