Stalemate over demolition of Chander Kunj Army Towers continues to New Year

The stalemate over the demolition of the twin towers of Chander Kunj Army Apartments continues into the New Year, as they are yet to be handed over to the Kanayannur Tahsildar nearly five months after a Kerala High Court verdict. This delay threatens to derail the entire timeline for demolition and reconstruction.

In August, the court disposed of a writ appeal filed by the association and a few owners against the February 3 verdict of a Single Bench of the Kerala High Court, which had ordered demolition and reconstruction citing serious structural problems, along with several related review petitions.

Of the 208 apartment owners, all except Ciby George, a retired Army Colonel and resident of apartment number 101 in Tower C, have vacated. Mr. George continues to remain in his flat, demanding advance rent, relocation charges, and compensation. While he acknowledged receiving ₹1.05 lakh in his account, he stated that there was no clarity on whether the amount was intended as advance rent or compensation, which he had sought.

Mr. George has since filed a contempt of court petition in the High Court against District Collector G. Priyanka, alleging non-compliance with the court’s verdict regarding the evacuation, demolition, and reconstruction of the twin towers. Meanwhile, the Chander Kunj Army Towers Apartment Owners Association (CATAOA) has filed a contempt petition against him for refusing to vacate his flat. Both petitions are expected to be heard by the court next week.

CATAOA has accused Mr. George of disrupting the entire project schedule, as the twin towers were to be handed over to the Tahsildar for demolition once all residents had evacuated. Mr. George, however, maintains that he will vacate the premises as soon as he is paid what is rightfully due to him.

The district committee chaired by the Collector had set November 9, 2025, as the tentative date for the demolition of the twin towers and October 31, 2029, for handing over the newly built apartments. This was part of an elaborate four-phase plan drawn up for the demolition and reconstruction, beginning with the evacuation of affected families by July 31. That evacuation deadline has since been missed.