HC issues notice to NAD on high-rise building in its vicinity

The Kerala High Court issued notice to the Naval Armament Depot (NAD), Aluva, on a petition seeking a directive for necessary action against a high-rise building of former MLA P.V. Anvar, located in the security zone near the NAD.

The petitioner, K.V. Shaji, a social activist from Malappuram, contended that the building was unauthorised as it was built in the high-security zone. Mr. Anvar’s firm had taken the building that was initially built to be a star hotel on a 99-year lease during recovery proceedings initiated by the Debt Recovery Tribunal, New Delhi.

The NAD had in 2016 submitted a petition to the District Collector and the Edathala panchayat secretary, seeking a halt to the construction of the said building. The building was built even after the panchayat issued a stop memo, the petitioner said and added that its premises had once been used to host a DJ party, in violation of the Abkari Act.

Excise personnel had in an inspection also found that drugs were being used by the DJ party attendees. Still, no action was taken against the building owner. The building continued to function, although it had not been allotted a number by the panchayat, he argued. The court posted the case for hearing on February 25.