The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Kerala government to file a report regarding the removal of debris including portions that fell in the backwaters and are yet to be retrieved, following the demolition by the controlled implosion of four high rise apartment complexes over the weekend.
Earlier in the day, the state government informed the court that it had complied with the apex court’s order regarding the demolition of the four apartments – H2O Holy Faith, twin towers of Alfa Serene on Saturday, and Golden Kayaloram and Jain Coral Cove on Sunday – which were built in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone norms.
Justice Arun Mishra, who led the bench in the verdict that ordered the demolition of the flats, said it was a painful duty that he had to perform and added that the events would send a message across to the lawbreakers that the courts would not sit silently on matters such as these. He hoped it would prevent further construction of such buildings that violated all environmental norms.
The Supreme Court has granted time till February 10 to Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave for filing ‘a proper application on some points’ in the matter.
The apex court has also ordered the demolition of Kapico Resorts that were built in violation of CRZ norms in the backwaters.
— India Legal Bureau