Fri Nov 29 20:09:50 UTC 2024: ## Kerala High Court Orders Mediation in Kochi Apartment Dispute
**KOCHI, November 30, 2024** – The Kerala High Court has ordered mediation in a dispute over the structurally compromised Chander Kunj Army Towers in Kochi. The 29-story apartment buildings, housing serving and retired defence personnel and their families, have suffered significant structural damage since their completion in 2016, with concrete falling and rebar exposed.
The court’s order follows petitions filed by retired Army officers, including Johnson Chacko Verghese and Ciby George, who highlighted the dangerous conditions and demanded action. Mr. George, a civil engineering graduate, even sought an immediate evacuation order.
The Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO), responsible for the buildings, initially proposed a full refund of construction costs to owners. However, the court has now directed both AWHO and the residents’ association to propose mediation panels to find an amicable solution. The court previously requested details of residents to explore alternative accommodation options. All parties have been given two weeks to submit their suggestions and objections to the court. The case highlights the urgent need to address the safety concerns of the residents and find a lasting solution to the building’s structural issues.
First Piper 