The Crime Branch (CB) special investigation squad on Thursday wrapped up the three-day-long search and seizure operations at the Maradu municipal office in connection with its probe into the construction of apartment complexes, which the apex court had found were in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone norms and since then ordered their demolition.
CB sleuths seized hundreds of documents pertaining to each of the four apartment complexes and have called off operations at the municipal office for the time being.
“We may come back for more documents though for the time being we are wrapping up the seizure. The statements of apartment owners are also being recorded,” an official in the know-how of the probe said. Though the team had carried out a preliminary overview of the files seized, a detailed examination will take place in the coming days.
However, the recording of statements is progressing at a slow pace as the owners are busy moving out of their apartments ahead of the deadline.
Even those who have moved out are hunting for alternative accommodation, while those moving out are busy packing.
The collection of statements is likely to assume pace once the owners settle down.
Speaking to reporters, Crime Branch ADGP Tomin J. Thachankary, who was here to review the progress of the probe, said the investigation would be completed at the earliest.
He added that the probe had been progressing in the right direction and at a quick pace. Unlike most other cases, the crime had already been established by the apex court, and the probe is to identify the culprits, said Mr. Thachankary who appeared confident of readying the charge sheet within three months.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Thachankary chaired a review meeting at the Commissioner’s office.
The CB team is led by Superintendent of Police V.M. Mohammed Rafeeq and comprises investigation officer Jossy Cherian and a host of other senior officers, including six inspectors.
