Leaders rally round Maradu flat owners

KOCHI: Political party leaders have come open in support of owners of controversial apartments in Maradu, which the Supreme Court has ordered to demolish for violating coastal zone regulation norms. Leaders of various political parties extended support to them during a protest programme organised by Maradu Bhavana Samrakshana Samithi (the newly-formed coordination committee of apartment owners) in front of Maradu municipality office on Tuesday.

"An order delivered without hearing the affected parties, even if it was by the Supreme Court, has to be criticised," said former MP Sebastian Paul while inaugurating the dharna. Judgment ordering demolition of apartment complexes at Maradu seems to be like a vengeance against somebody, Mr Paul observed.

The samithi staged the dharna to highlight the apex court verdict as violation of fundamental rights and denial of natural justice to affected parties.

"The SC order will have far reaching impact in the state. If the court ordered demolition of the apartment complexes considering the environmental issues, it should also have considered the environment impacts when they are demolished," he said.

Mr Paul demanded that the Union and State governments should intervene in the issue in order to ensure justice for the flat owners.

Former minister K. Babu and Madhusudhanan, president, BJP Tripunithura constituency also addressed the dharna. Adv. Shamsudhin Karunagappalli, chairman of the Samith presided over.

Apartment owners including filmmakers Major Ravi, Blessy and Soubin Shahir also participated in the protest programme.