SC's verbal lashing of Kerala govt on Maradu flats

New Delhi:  "We will not hesitate to prosecute officers for culpable homicide for loss of life," the Supreme Court said on Monday pulling up the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government in Kerala for its inaction in the Maradu flat demolition row.

The top court linked the loss of lives in the floods in that state too to the situation, saying the natural calamity was due to the government failing to act against illegal structures.

"You are playing with Nature, even in high tide area, nothing is left," observed the bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra. He also recalled that the apex court judges have also contributed generously for the Kerala flood relief.

At one stage in the hearing, the court said that it can actually ask for a survey of the entire Kerala CRZ areas to ascertain illegal structures. "We will not spare any single person who is responsible for killing people all over Kerala," said the court.

The court also noted that devastation, due to natural calamities, is taking place all across, and it is leading to loss of life, and it is duty of the state government to protect the people.

The court told the Kerala Chief Secretary who appeared in person that his affidavit does not indicate the government's intent to implement its order in connection with the demolition of the flats, and apparently it looks the state government is acting in total defiance.

"This can't happen in a civilised country, this is colossal loss. It is a patent breach of law," said the court making a strong observation on the conduct of the state government.

"Thousand of crores of properties were lost and so many people died due to flood in Kerala, despite this fact, still so many structures coming up in coastal region in Kerala," said the court.

The court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on Friday. Though, it pointed that it may pass detailed order earlier.