Stay Issued by HC on Munambam Waqf Land Inquiry Order
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Synopsis
The Kerala High Court has issued a stay on its previous order regarding an Inquiry Commission for the Munambam land dispute, enabling the Commission to continue its investigations into the rights of families facing eviction due to the Waqf Board's claims.
Key Takeaways
- High Court stays order on Munambam Waqf land.
- Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair Commission to continue work.
- Dispute involves 600 families facing eviction.
- Historical context dates back to 1950.
- Kerala Waqf Board's classification rendered previous sales void.
Kochi, April 7 (NationPress) Just three weeks after the Pinarayi Vijayan administration faced a setback when the Kerala High Court permitted a petition questioning the establishment of an Inquiry Commission aimed at resolving the enduring dispute between the residents of Munambam and the Waqf Board, a division bench issued a stay on that ruling on Monday.
This stay allows the Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair Commission, which was appointed by Chief Minister Vijayan, to continue its examination of the rights of approximately 600 families who are at risk of eviction following the declaration of the Munambam property as Waqf land.
The contention revolves around land in Munambam, originally spanning 404.76 acres, now diminished to roughly 135.11 acres due to coastal erosion.
On Monday, the division bench stated, "The appeals are admitted. Schedule the appeals for hearing on the daily board starting June 16, 2025. While these appeals are ongoing, the operation and execution of the judgment dated March 17, 2025, is suspended. The report from the Commission shall not be acted upon by the State government without prior permission from this court in light of these appeals," as detailed in the court's order.
The longstanding issue traces back to 1950 when the disputed land was donated to Farook College by Siddique Sait. However, this property was already inhabited by several individuals, leading to legal disputes between the college and the long-term residents. Subsequently, the college sold segments of the land to these inhabitants.
These transactions did not disclose that the property was classified as Waqf land. In 2019, the Kerala Waqf Board officially registered the land as part of its assets, rendering previous sales invalid.
This development sparked resistance from residents facing eviction. An appeal against the State Waqf Board's classification of Munambam land was submitted to a Waqf Tribunal in Kozhikode.
Members of the Waqf Samrakshana Samithi contended that the government lacked the authority to investigate Waqf properties outside the statute and sought the disbandment of the Nair Commission.
The petition is set to be examined in detail on June 16.
