Kokkers caught in a 'power' game

KOCHI:  It is like a never ending bush-whack for Kokkers family as far as their property near Lisie Junction, Kaloor, is concerned. Though the Kokkers family managed to get back the 1.80 acres of land and building from Dunlop Tyres, which  was a tenant there, after a two-and-a-half-decade long legal battle in June last, there are still impediments that hinder the family from developing it into commercial space.

“We got our property back after 24 years of litigation. We have plans to  develop it  into an exhibition-cum-commercial centre. We could get over the building tax-related issues too. Still, we could not come out of the stalemate as KSEB is asking for a huge amount for giving electricity connection,” said Siyad Kokker, the co-owner of the land. The property worth over `100 crore belongs to five siblings. Express had earlier reported about the the pathetic state of the stalled property in the  heart of the city.

It all started when the Kokkers family leased out the land to Dunlop Tyres  for setting up a sales-and-purchase office mid-1980’s. A few years later,  company landed in a financial crisis and the Chhabriya Group it took over. But a spat over the terms and condition of the agreement with the new company led to a legal battle which went up to the Supreme Court.

In the meantime, the Kokkers family lost a lot of business opportunities  and had to incur a huge amount in terms of building tax and KSEB dues. When  both the property owner and the tenant failed to remit electricity charges, the  KSEB disconnected the supply.  “When legal proceedings ended, we approached the KSEB to reinstate the  connection. But they are asking for `20 lakh in terms of dues. It is not fair as the building had remained closed for over two decades. Demanding money for that period cannot be justified. We have filed a request to the KSEB for an exemption, but they have not responded so far,” said Siyad Kokker.

But, the KSEB officials said they had not received any such application. However, they admitted that the amount could be somewhere near Rs 15-20 lakh.    “The amount can be paid through a one-time settlement. Under the scheme, they will get discount too,” said a top KSEB official.