For the first time since a probe was initiated into the illegally constructed Maradu apartment buildings, a special investigation team of the Crime Branch has made three arrests in the case.
Two former officials of the then local body Maradu panchayat (now municipality), and the builder of one of the apartment buildings were arrested on Tuesday: Mohammed Ashraf, then Secretary; PE Joseph, Junior Superintendent of Maradu panchayat; and Sany Francis, director of Holy Faith Builders and Developers Private Limited.
The special investigation team led by ADGP Tomin J Thachankary had issued a notice to builders on Monday to be summoned for questioning in the following days. But Sany Francis, builder of H2O Holy Faith apartments and the two former officials were taken into custody by Tuesday evening itself and their arrest was registered later the same day.
Jain Housing and Construction Ltd (Jains Cora Cove), KP Varkey & VS Builders (Golden Kayaloram), and Alfa Ventures Private Ltd (Alfa Serene) are the companies that built the other apartments which will be demolished as per the Supreme Court order.
The two local body officials of the panchayat – Mohammed Ashraf and PE Joseph – have been booked under section 13 (criminal misconduct by a public servant) of Prevention of Corruption Act, and section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of Indian Penal Code. It was not immediately clear what sections Sany Francis had been booked under.
“The case was probed based on the Supreme Court order. There is conspiracy, vigilance angle and violation of CRZ norms in it,” said ADGP Tomin Thachankary.
Meanwhile, a section of residents have raised concerns that the interim compensation fixed by the panel appointed by the SC is in violation of the actual court order. The panel on Monday had stated that every family will not get Rs 25 lakh uniformly as interim relief.
Also read: