In a significant development in the Maradu flats demolition case, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered the Kerala Government to pay interim compensation of Rs 25 lakhs to each apartment owner within four weeks. The amount will be recoverable from the builders who erected the illegal structures flouting the Coastal Zone Regulations, added the Court.

The Court has restrained the builder-companies and its directors from alienating their assets.

This was after the bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Ravindra Bhat directed the Government to start the demolition process as per the time frame submitted by it. Senior Advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Kerala Government, submitted that an affidavit has been placed on record stating that demolition process will start on October 9 and can be completed within 90 days.

Steps for eviction of residents have been taken; water and electricity supply to the flats have been disconnected, Salve informed the bench.

On Monday, the Supreme Court had pulled up the Chief Secretary of the Kerala Government for failure to execute the directions in the May 8 judgment to demolish the apartments for CRZ violations. The Court had taken suo moto contempt proceedings after noting that the demolition order had not been executed within the prescribed time limit.

The demolition order was passed on May 8 based on the report of a three-member committee appointed by the Court which stated that when the constructions were made, the area was designated as CRZ-III, where such constructions are prohibited. The Court also noted that Panchayat had granted the building permits without the concurrence of the Coastal Zone Management Authority, which was mandatory.