Supreme Court extends last date for the demolition of Super-Tech Twin Tower till August 28
The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended the last date for the demolition of the Super-Tech Twin Towers to August 28, 2022 as the party demolishing the building raises concern and framed a new design for the demolition.
A bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice L Nageswara Rao has extended the period by three months from its earlier deadline of May 22, 2022.
The bench was hearing an Intervention Application filed seeking an extension of the period for demolition of the Supertech twin tower.
The Counsel informed the bench that the towers are surrounded by buildings, if it would have an open ground then the debris would have fallen on the sides but there are buildings on all sides. It was submitted that a new blast design has been framed and the demolition cannot be finished before August 2022.
In furtherance of this, the bench noted that “in view of the expert opinion the time is extended till 28 August 2022, and a status report may be filed.”
It may be noted that the Supreme Court had earlier upheld the order of the Allahabad High Court's order directing the demolition of the twin towers over the allegations that would lead to the restricted passage of air and light, thereby infringing Art. 21 of the residents at Emerald.
Allahabad High Court by order dated Apr 11, 2014, directed:
(i) Demolition of Towers (T) - 16 and 17 by the third respondent, Okhla Industrial Development Authority, in Emerald Court situated on Plot No 4, Sector 93A, NOIDA;
(ii) Cost of demolition and removal to be borne by the appellant, failing which NOIDA shall recover it as arrears of land revenue;
(iii) Sanction for prosecution under Section 49 of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Act 1973, as incorporated by Section 12 of the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Area Development Act 1976, shall be granted for the prosecution of the officials of the appellant and the officers of NOIDA for possible violations of the UPIAD Act, 1976 and Uttar Pradesh Apartment (Promotion of Construction, Ownership & Maintenance) Act 2010; and
(iv) Refund of amounts invested by purchasers who had booked apartments in T-16 and T-17, with interest at fourteen percent, compounded annually.
Cause Title: Supertech Ltd Vs. Emerald Court Owner Resident Welfare Association and Other Connected Matters