KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday has ordered Shobha Developers not to carry out any construction at Puzhakal Padam at Kuttoor in Thrissur.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice A M Shaffique issued the order on the petition filed by Thrissur district panchayat member Vidya Sangeeth, challenging the government’s idleness in taking action against illegal filling of paddy lands.
The Bench pointed out that in the facts of cases, there was no order granting permission to the Shobha Developers to carry out constructions at Kuttoor.
The petitioner submitted that filling of paddy land and construction has been continuing in spite of a stop memo issued by the revenue authorities.
Counsel for the Shobha Developers submitted that there was no construction or no filling of paddy fields was being carried out.
The petitioner pointed out that the Shobha Developers had acquired vast extents of paddy land during 2002 and started construction of villas and flats under the name of Shobha city. Recently by forming different companies, they acquired 19 acres of land in Kuttor adjacent to the existing Shobha city project.
And the company started conversion of paddy land and wetland without obtaining permission under the statute, the petition stated.
The petitioner also alleged that the District Collector facilitated the filling with the connivance of State Chief Secretary E K Bharat Bhooshan.
Though several reports by Thrissur Revenue Divisional Officer and others were filed against the illegal acts, no action had been taken by the government.
The petitioner further sought a directive to the Vigilance to conduct an inquiry into the corrupt practices of the officials.