Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Pala Court Upholds 2005 Sale of Cheruvally Estate, Setback for Kerala in Airport Land Case

The verdict validates Ayana Charitable Trust’s title, injecting uncertainty into the proposed Sabarimala airport site.

Overview

  • The Sub Court in Pala on January 19 ruled against the Kerala government and upheld Harrisons Malayalam Limited’s 2005 sale of the 2,263-acre Cheruvally estate to Ayana Charitable Trust.
  • The court accepted the defendants’ adverse-possession case, citing Basic Tax Register entries and tax receipts as evidence of long-standing possession.
  • The State’s 2019 suit argued the land was government-owned under the Pandaravaka Pattom lease regime and sought to reclaim the property in Kottayam district.
  • A 2015 resumption order by a land conservancy special officer had been quashed by the High Court, with higher courts directing the State to pursue civil litigation.
  • Revenue Minister K. Rajan said the government will review the judgment and consider next steps as the airport plan faces renewed uncertainty.