Crime branch likely to take over probe into Chander Kunj Army Towers construction irregularities
The move comes even as high court on June 16 declined to order a CBI investigation into the alleged corruption behind the dilapidated condition of towers B and C.
According to a report filed by Maradu station house officer (SHO) on July 15 before district judicial first class magistrate court-VIII, the case was of a serious nature and there was a need for a special unit of the police to investigate it. The case diary was submitted to the higher-ups so that the probe can be transferred to the crime branch.
Further procedures were in process regarding the same, the report said.
The report was filed in response to a private complaint by Colonel (retd) Ciby George, a resident of the army towers. The report stated that, as per initial investigation, the building was constructed in an area marked as 'nilam' with Tripunithura village office and that the building was constructed without following the norms. It further stated that high court, after examining reports from IIT-Madras, IISc Bangalore, vigilance officer, LSGD and PWD engineer, found that Tower-B and Tower-C were not habitable.
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The report also added that, prima facie, the building was constructed without obtaining necessary certificates, its plan underwent unauthorised alterations and construction was done without quality materials. It further added that the building started showing structural faults within a year of construction. The Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) collected Rs 130 crore from 208 families living in the towers involved in the case and that an investigation needs to be done to find how AWHO spent this amount, report stated.
The report also adds that three cases were under probe regarding the allegations referred to in the private complaint. The court, however, ordered the registration of an additional FIR as per the private complaint. George earlier approached HC seeking a CBI investigation, which the court declined. He is planning to move the court with an appeal.
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