Crime Branch defends pace of probe into Chander Kunj Army towers in Kochi amid owners’ concerns

The twin towers of the Chander Kunj Army Apartment complex at Vyttila in Kochi. (file) | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT The Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch, Ernakulam Range, has dismissed allegations of a lack of progress in the investigation into the alleged irregularities and offences related to the construction of the Chander Kunj Army Towers Apartment Project at Silver Sand Island, Vyttila, Kochi, Keralam.In a letter addressed to the affected apartment owners earlier this year, the investigating agency stated that the allegation that the probe was not progressing effectively was not borne out by the investigation conducted so far. The applicability of provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, if any, could be determined only on the basis of evidence that emerged during the course of the investigation, the letter noted.It was issued in response to a petition submitted by the owners to the Chief Minister earlier this year, alleging that the investigation was not progressing effectively.The Crime Branch took over the investigation and registered a case in August 2025, after the State Police Chief (SPC) transferred the case registered by the Maradu police. On March 26, 2025, nearly two months after the Kerala High Court ordered the demolition and reconstruction of towers ‘B’ and ‘C,’ the Maradu police registered the case based on a petition filed by V.V. Krishnan, who was authorised by the general body of owners’ association. The case was registered only after Mr. Krishnan obtained a favourable direction from the Judicial First Class Magistrate-VIII, Ernakulam.Six officials of the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO), who served as Managing Directors and Project Directors of the Chander Kunj Army Towers Apartment Project since 2011, Ajith Associates, which prepared the building plans, and Silpa Constructions, which executed the project, along with its finance officer, were arraigned as accused. They were booked under Sections 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.Records collectedThe Crime Branch claimed that it has so far collected relevant records and issued communications to expert agencies, including the Central PWD, the State PWD and other competent authorities, seeking assessments of the structural stability and safety of the apartment complex. A site inspection was also conducted, during which visible cracks, leakages and other structural deficiencies were documented. Certified copies of title deeds and other relevant property records have also been collected and examined.The investigation further involves scrutiny of financial transactions, tender procedures, quality-control mechanisms, project approvals and administrative decision-making processes. Steps have also been initiated to collect and examine relevant records and to trace and examine witnesses located in different places outside the State, it said.Material objects have been collected from the flat premises and forwarded for forensic examination. The Investigating Officer has also videographed the flats in the presence of the Executive Magistrate and an experienced PWD executive engineer to scientifically document their existing condition.In the letter forwarding the case to the Crime Branch, the SPC observed that investigations carried out by reputed agencies, including IIT Chennai, IISc Bangalore, the Vigilance Officer of the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD), and the PWD, had revealed serious structural defects in Towers B and C, comprising 208 flats valued at approximately ₹130.68 crore, rendering them unsafe for residential occupation.The investigation further revealed that the AWHO had not obtained the required sanctions, that the building plans were altered without approval, and that forged documents were allegedly used to obtain permits from the Tripunithura municipality, the SPC further observed. Published - October 08, 2026 02:55 pm IST