Kerala police raid builder’s office in T Nagar

Sources here said that the Kerala police crime branch team on Friday searched the office premise of Jain Housing and Construction, located on Bazullah Road, as part of the investigation into the illegal construction of four waterfront apartment complexes in Maradu. Of the four complexes, one was constructed by Jain Housing & Constructions. Its owner has been asked to appear before the investigators in Kochi on Monday, sources said.

It may be noted that last month, the Supreme Court ordered the demolition of the apartment buildings consisting of 343 flats in four complexes saying they were built in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone norms.

The police have on Tuesday arrested three people, including one Sani Francis, director of Holy Faith Builders and Developers Pvt Ltd in Kochi, in connection with the case. Others were identified as Mohammed Ashraf and PE Joseph, who were the secretary and junior superintendent of the Maradu panchayat, for granting permission for construction. Maradu is now a municipality.

In its order on September 27, the apex court said the demolition of the build-ings should be completed within 138 days. The State government has set Janu-ary 9, 2020, as the deadline for completing the demolition.