Chander Kunj Army Towers in Vyttil, Kochi. | Photo credit: H. VIBHU
In an unexpected turn of events, the Chander Kunj Army Towers Flat Owners Association (CATAOA) filed a contempt of court case in the Kerala High Court against the flat owner for refusing to vacate his flat even after all the other 207 owners had moved out of their flats earmarked for demolition and reconstruction as per the court order.
CATAOA moved the petition before the same bench where flat owner Ciby George, a resident of flat number 101 in Tower C, had filed a contempt petition against the district collector for allegedly failing to comply with the court’s verdict regarding the evacuation, demolition and reconstruction of the twin towers. In August, the court heard an appeal filed by the association and several owners against the February 3 judgment of the Single Bench of the Kerala High Court — which ordered demolition and reconstruction due to serious structural problems — along with several related review petitions.
The committee, chaired by the Collector, is required to pay the affected residents six months’ advance rent of ₹35,000 per month to owners in C Tower, ₹30,000 to owners in B Tower and ₹30,000 as relocation charges, using funds transferred by the Army Welfare Housing Organization to an escrow account maintained by the Collector. Mr George, a retired army colonel, continues to stay in his flat and claims he is yet to receive the advance rent and relocation fees.
However, CATAOA officials said they moved the petition after confirming that three months’ rent had been paid to Mr. George from the escrow account, while the remaining three months were likely deducted as he continued to reside in his own apartment during that period. “Our main concern is his personal safety. A large chunk of concrete fell from the lobby ceiling of Tower C recently. The association cannot be held responsible for his safety just because he refuses to leave. His reluctance also disrupts the entire project schedule as the twins were to be handed over to the tahsildar after all the residents were evacuated,” it said. In addition, it is now necessary to charge public services and infrastructure only for maintenance. CATAOA Office.
While Mr. George admitted that he had received ₹1.05 million in his account, it was not clear whether it was meant as advance rent or the compensation he was demanding, he said. He denied claims that his continued stay had disrupted the project’s schedule and claimed that no steps had yet been taken to finalize the demolition contractor. “I will move out as soon as the advance rent and moving fees are paid,” he said.
Published – 18 Dec 2025 20:41 IST
