Kochi High Court Directs Ernakulam Administration to Submit Detailed Payment Records
The High Court of Kochi has issued a significant directive to the Ernakulam district administration, ordering it to submit comprehensive records detailing the rent amount and relocation charges provided in advance to a resident of the Chander Kunj Army Tower at Vyttila. This action is necessary to facilitate the resident's evacuation from the dwelling, which has been deemed unsafe due to the tower's dilapidated condition.
Contempt Petitions and Court Proceedings
A division bench comprising Justices K Natarajan and Johnson John delivered this directive while hearing a contempt of court petition filed against the district collector by Ciby George, a resident of Tower C of the Chander Kunj Army Tower. George's petition alleged non-compliance with the court's earlier order, which mandated the provision of six months' rent and relocation charges to enable him to vacate his apartment for essential renovation work.
Simultaneously, another contempt petition was pending before the bench, filed by the Residents Welfare Association of the tower against Ciby George. This petition accused George of failing to vacate the apartment as per the court's previous directives, highlighting the complex legal and administrative challenges surrounding the evacuation process.
Background and Previous Court Directives
Earlier, the High Court had directed the district collector to initiate action for the demolition and reconstruction of the dilapidated Towers B and C of the Chander Kunj Army Towers, located at Silver Sand Island in Vyttila. These directions included specific measures for evacuating residents by providing adequate rent and relocation charges. The financial support was intended to help residents secure alternative accommodation until the reconstruction project was completed, ensuring their safety and well-being.
In response to George's contempt petition, the court had previously ordered the district collector to pay him six months' advance rent at a rate of Rs 35,000 per month, along with Rs 30,000 towards relocation charges. The court also directed George to vacate his residence within seven days, as per its order dated September 10, 2025.
Current Developments and Administrative Response
The district administration later submitted a response to George's contempt petition, stating that three months' rent, amounting to Rs 1.05 lakh, had been deposited into the petitioner's account as of December 2. However, this partial payment raised questions about the fulfillment of the court's complete order.
Accordingly, the division bench has now directed the government pleader to furnish all relevant documents by January 30. These documents must clarify whether the remaining rent amount and the relocation charges have been fully paid to Ciby George, ensuring transparency and accountability in the execution of the court's directives.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts to address housing safety issues in Kochi, particularly in aging structures like the Chander Kunj Army Tower. The court's intervention aims to balance the urgent need for renovation with the rights and financial needs of residents, setting a precedent for similar situations in the region.
