KOCHI: The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Court has ordered the construction company of the H2O flat in Maradu, which was demolished following the Supreme Court's order, to pay Rs 23,12,000 as compensation to the victim.

The new compensation is in addition to the earlier Rs 44 lakh compensation fixed by Justice K Balakrishnan Nair's committee appointed by the SC. Commission President D B Binu, members Vaikom Ramachandran, and T.N. Srividya consisted bench ruled in favour of compensation as they pointed out the mental distress and financial liabilities suffered by the victim due to illogical construction practices followed by the builders.

Retired Navy Captain K.K. Nair and his wife Geeta Nair filed the petition against Holy Faith Builders and Developers. The construction firm sold the flat promising that they strictly adhered to all existing land rules. However, in a situation where the Supreme Court stated that the apartment was built in violation of the Coastal Control Act, the consumer court judged the company's work to be fraudulent and deficient in service.

The judgment lashed out at the builders saying the court would not be a spectator to the illegal activities carried out by the builders that have shattered several people's long yearning dream of buying a home. Adv. T.J. Lakshmana Iyer appeared for the petitioners.