AWHO moves HC against panel’s directive to take over Chanderkunj Army Towers in Kochi

Chander Kunj Army Towers in Vyttil. | Photo credit: File photo

The Army Welfare Housing Organization (AWHO) has challenged in the Kerala High Court the order of the Ernakulam District Collector-led Committee (DC Committee) which ordered the organization to take over Chanderkunj Army Towers ahead of their scheduled demolition.

Single Judge PV Kunhikrishnan issued a notice to the company that won the contract to demolish the flats and adjourned the matter to October 14 for further hearing.

AWHO claimed that the towers and flats were no longer in its ownership or possession and that it was not obliged to collect the keys from the owners.

The DC committee directed the organization to take possession of the flats from their respective owners by collecting the keys and issuing certificates in the prescribed format. AWHO said that the District Collector was going to enter into a contract for demolition and that it had already been decided that the Tahsildar would take over the property.

The organization said that accepting the keys and signing the prescribed certificates would expose it to serious legal complications and harm its interests in cases before other courts, including the Supreme Court, related to the apartment towers.

AWHO also pointed out that the District Collector had confirmed before the Supreme Court that the Tahsildar was in the process of taking over the ownership of the flats.

The Supreme Court ordered the demolition and reconstruction of Chander Kunj Army Towers B and C, noting serious structural problems. The Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has also directed AWHO to compensate some flat owners for the indoor fixtures installed in their respective flats.

The motion stated that disputes arising out of these orders are pending in the Supreme Court and that accepting possession of the flats would prejudice AWHO’s interests in the pending litigation.

Published – 13 Oct 2026 22:13 IST