When James Eapen Roy, 60, and wife Susan moved into Holy Faith H2O apartments, Maradu, 13 years ago, they hoped to spend the rest of their life in peace.
The location of the waterfront apartment and the facilities that were available in its vicinity were the factors that prompted them to go in for the flat. It required a home loan to buy the flat after putting together their savings and proceeds of the sale of their ancestral properties.
Now, the elderly couple has nowhere to go, with the Supreme Court on Friday reiterating its order to demolish the building where they set up their home.
“I don’t have another place to go. I raised funds to purchase the home by selling off my ancestral property at Punalur. The court should consider our plight from a humanitarian perspective,” said Mr. Roy on the verge of tears. “Till last year, the authorities had collected property tax. But this year, they refused to collect it, probably because of the apex court order,” said Ms. Suja Roy who is planning to undergo a knee replacement surgery shortly. It was while returning from hospital after an MRI scan that she learned of the apex court verdict. “These days,” said Ms. Suja, “I don’t share messages regarding the apartment with my husband as I am afraid it may hurt him emotionally.”
Joyson E. Pallan, another resident, said he would end his life rather than being thrown out of his home. “My kids are yet to complete their schooling. Where will I take them if this building is demolished?” asked a worried Pallan. Haripriya Suresh, who moved into the apartment five years ago, could not control her tears as she shared her fears about being homeless. “The apex court verdict has dashed our hopes and aspirations. The court should have considered the plight of the residents on humanitarian grounds,” said Ms. Suresh.
Shamsudheen Karunagappally, a lawyer and resident, pinned his hopes of salvaging homes in the review petition that was likely to come up before the apex court in the third week of July.
The petition was moved by residents and builders, he said.