The demolition of the 100 meters tall Supertech twin towers in Noida on Sunday August 28 is the victory of justice over violation of laws and corruption. The cost of demolition was approximately Rs 20 crore, which was paid by the builders, Supertech. The CMD, Supertech claimed that the Noida authority had approved the building plans which included the 100 meter tall twin towers on 48,263 sq metres land, which was a part of Plot No 4 in Sector 93A and that the plans met with the Building Bye Laws of the then UP Government. Problems started after Supertech changed the building plans in March 2012 and built a complex of 15 buildings, with each building having 11 stories instead of nine. The changed plan also included the two towers that would rise to 40 floors above the ground. This was the reason for the legal battle between Supertech and the residents who had earlier been promised a green area where the tower stood.
Residents of Emerald Court demanded that the twin towers be demolished claiming that it was constructed illegally and asked the Noida Authority to cancel the approvals granted for the construction of these towers. The residents then appealed to the Allahabad High Court, which agreed to the demands of the Emerald Court’s residents. In 2014 the High Court ordered the demolition of the twin towers. However, the developer appealed against the verdict and the matter reached the Supreme Court of India. The apex court stood with the citizens stating that the Supertech developer’s construction violated the minimum distance requirement and the buildings were built illegally without taking the consent of the individual flat owners as required under Uttar Pradesh Apartment Act.
Further the Supreme Court ordered the demolition of the twin towers in August last year but the developers sought extension. Hence the demolition happened only this year. The apex court said the buildings will be demolished by the company at its own expense under the guidance of the Noida Authority. The judiciary is the last resort for aggrieved citizens since the executive is increasingly seen to abdicate its duties towards the governed and to also violate its own laws and yielding to corruption. In such dire situations citizens are compelled to knock on the doors of the court. Citizens here in Meghalaya too look up to the Meghalaya High Court to cleanse up the putrid system that has taken roots in the State and in no less than a Department meant to uphold the rule of law. There is a growing dystopia among citizens that government can do nothing right because it benefits more from doing what’s wrong.