Kerala HC quashes govt’s judicial commission on Munambam land dispute

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday struck down the state government’s order appointing a judicial commission to investigate the Munambam land dispute, calling the decision illegal and lacking justification.

The court criticized the government for issuing the order without due consideration, stating that the move appeared mechanical and did not serve public interest. The commission, led by former acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, Justice C N Ramachandran Nair, was established in November last year to determine land ownership in the disputed area. However, the court found that the state failed to provide a valid explanation for its appointment.

The Kerala Waqf Samrakshana Vedhi, Ernakulam, had challenged the government's order in the High Court, leading to its annulment.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan condemned the government’s handling of the Munambam issue, accusing it of deliberately prolonging the dispute. "The government has intentionally delayed a matter that could have been resolved in 10 minutes, creating unnecessary tension between two communities," he said in Thiruvananthapuram.

Following the High Court’s ruling, the BJP asserted that a permanent resolution to the issue could only be achieved by amending the Waqf Bill. BJP leader and former Union Minister V Muraleedharan called on the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) and the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) to support the amendment in Parliament if they truly stood with the residents of Munambam.

The dispute revolves around allegations by residents of Cherai and Munambam in Ernakulam district that the Waqf Board has been unlawfully claiming their lands and properties. The residents contend that they possess registered deeds and land tax payment receipts as proof of ownership.

With PTI inputs