JOJI THOMAS KANNAMPARATHADTHIL & 53 others v. THE STATE OF KERALA & 6 others

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ALEXANDER THOMAS** **THURSDAY, THE 14TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2019 / 25TH MAGHA, 1940** ## **WP(C).No. 4138 of 2019** ## **PETITIONERS:** - **1 JOJI THOMAS KANNAMPARATHADTHIL, KUMBLAMPOIKA P.O., PATHANAMTHITTA.** - **2 PANKAJAKSHAN PILLAI P., KRISHNA KRIPA, NEAR CHATTUKULAM TEMPLE, E.KADUNGALLOOR.** - **3 DHANESH M.S., ASWATHI NIVAS, BINANIPURAM P.O., EDAYAR.** - **4 VIJAYAKUMAR C., KRISHNALAYAM, KULASEKHARAMANGALAM P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.** - **5 RAJEEV M.V., MECHERIL, EDAYAR, BINANIPURAM P.O., ERNAKULAM.** - **6 JAYARAJ M.V., MECHERY HOUSE, VRINDAVAN, W.KADUNGALLOOR, MUPPATHADAM, ERNAKULAM.** - **7 V.VIJAYAN NAIR, GUPS AKATHETHARA, MALAMPUZHA ROAD, AKATHETHARA (PART), PALAKKAD DISTRICT.** - **8 SAM JOHN, GRACE COTTAGE, AMALAGIRY P.O., KOTTAYAM.** - **9 ALEX TOM E. VETTOOR, VETTOOR HOUSE, ETTUMANOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM.** - **10 BIJU CHERIYAN, VAZHAKKALAYIL, PIZHAKU P.O., ATHEENADU (VIA), KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.** - **11 PRAVEEN KUMAR G., CHOOLACKAL HOUSE, KOTHAD P.O., S.CHITTOOR, ERNAKULAM.** - **12 PRASANNA A.D., D/O.A.J.DINAKARAN, THEKKEMALA P.O., KOZHANCHERRY, PATHANAMTHITTA.** - **13 LALJI K.V., KADATHUKADAVIL HOUSE, KOTTUVALLY KAITHARAM P.O., N.PARAVOOR.** - **14 ABDUL NIZAR V.A., VALIYAPARAMBIL, VATTEKUNNAM, EDAPPALLY P.O.,** - **15 ALPHONSA ESAPPAN, KODUVELIPPARAMBIL, KOTHAD P.O., CHITTOOR, ERNAKULAM.** - **16 BIJU THOMAS, MLAVIL HOUSE, ONAMTHURUTHU P.O., KAIPUZHA VIA, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.** - **17 GARVASEES M.C., S/O.CHACKO, MADATHIPARAMBIL, PEECHI P.O., PAYIKANDAM.** - **18 V.M.PETER, S/O.MATHAI, VETTAH HOUSE, PANANCHERRY, MARACKAL KOTTANMUKKU, PEECHI.** - **19 JOHNY N.P., NEDUMPARAMBIL HOUSE, CHAMAKKALLA P.O., KOTHANALLOOR.** - **20 V.MATHEW MATHAI, VALIYAKALAYIL MEPRATH, KOTTANAD P.O., PERUMPETTY VILLAGE, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT.** - **21 ANAGHA DEEPTHI G., SURABHI HOUSE, KUDAMALOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.** - **22 MOHAMMED NIYAS, S/O.SRI ABDUL RAHMAN, BLAYIPARAMBIL, CHANDRATHIL, P.O.EDAPPALLY, KOCHI-682024.** - **23 P.N.RAVEENDRAN, PUTHENPURCKAL HOUSE, ADICHIPPUZHA P.O., RANNI, PERUNADU, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT.** - **24 SHAJU V.K.,** - **VALUPARAMBIL HOUSE, ADICHIPPUZHA P.O., RANNI, PERUNADU, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT.** - **25 LALAJI R.,** - **KANDATHIPARAMBIL, THANNEERMUKKAM P.O., CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT.** - **26 K.N.KARUNAKARAN,** - **PULINTHAZHE, NEENDOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.** - **27 AJAY P.NAIR, ADHAITHAM HOUSE, VETTOOR P.O., PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT.** - **28 MEKHALAL P., MAANTHARAYIL HOUSE, KADAKKARAPPALLY P.O., CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT.** - **29 AJEESH CHANDRAN, KALARTHUTHIYIL HOUSE, THAZHAM P.O., MALAYALAPPUZHA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT.** - **30 R.VIMALADEVI, MINI VIHAR, KADAMMANITTA P.O., PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT** - **31 SUDHIMON M.S, KUZHIKANDATHIL HOUSE, NEENDOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM.** - **32 SANTHOSH KUMAR K.G., THEKKEL HOUSE, PERUMBAYIKKADU P.O., SAMKRANTHI, KOTTAYAM.** - **33 JOY MATHEW, NELLIMALA HOUSE, CHIRAYARAMBU P.O., MARAMON, KOZHENCHERRY, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT.** - **34 JOLLY P.JOHN, PALLIKKUNNEL HOUSE, KOLLAD P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.** - **35 SUDHEESH K.V.,** - **KULAPARAMBU, WEST DESOM, DESOM P.O., ALUVA.** - **36 BINU V.V.,** - **VAYARANMARUTHICKAL, KOONAMKARA P.O., RANNI, PERUNADU .** - **37 RAJESH MATHEW, MADATHINETH HOUSE, ANGADI P.O., RANNI, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT.** - **38 SANTHOSH P.K.,** - **KADALIMAYAM THALAKKAL HOUSE, ATHIRAMPUZHA P.O. KOTTAYAM.** - **39 AHAMMED SHAM V.A., OLICKAL PARALIL HOUSE, NARANAMMOOZHI P.O., RANNI, ATHIKKAYAM.** - **40 JITHIN THAMBI, KUNNUKALAYIL HOUSE, KUMARANELLOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM.** - **41 KRISHNA CHANDRAN, PAYIPPATTU HOUSE, MANAPPURAM P.O., CHERTHALA.** - **42 RAJESH T.B., THANNIILKKUNNATHIL HOUSE, VETTOOR P.O., KUMBAZHA, PATHANAMTHITTA.** - **43 SOLY ISAAC, MAMBADAM HOUSE, CHAMAKKALA P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.** - **44 GIPSON ISAAC, THEKKEPARAMBIL HOUSE, CHAMAKKALA P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.** - **45 PHILOMINA ISAAC, W/O.LATE SRI.ISAAC, MAMBADAM HOUSE, CHAMAKKALA P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.** - **46 RANI ISAAC, MAMBADAM HOUSE, CHAMAKKALA P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.** - **47 SABU P.F.,** - **THEKKANATT HOUSE, LENIN ROAD, PONEKKARA, EDAPPALLY P.O., ERNAKULAM-682024.** - **48 TOM VIJAY, KATTUNILATH HOUSE, CHAKKUNGAL ROAD, PALARIVATTOM P.O., ERNAKULAM-682025.** - **49 JIJU K.K., KOCHUVEETTIL, NEENDOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM -686601.** - **50 SURESH KUMAR D., VIJAYALAYAM, MARUTHORVATTOM P.O., CHERTHALA-688539.** - **51 ARUN RAJ, JANANI (PUTHENPURAYIL), E.KADUNGALLOOR-683102.** - **52 VYSHAKH M.V.,** **MECHERIL, EDAYAR, BINANIPURAM P.O., KADUNGALLOOR, ERNAKULAM-683502.** - **53 UNNIKRISHNAN P., THOTTAPALLIL, POOCHACKAL P.O., CHERTHALA-688526.** - **54 MOHANAN PILLAI A.D., KANDATHIL PARAMB, KOMANA, AMBALAPPUZHA-688861.** - **BY ADV. SRI.K.BALACHANDRAN** ## **RESPONDENTS:** - **1 THE STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.** - **2 THE LAND REVENUE COMMISSIONER, VIKAS BHAVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.** - **3 THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, COLLECTORATE, PAINAVU, IDUKKI DISTRICT-685584.** - **4 THE TAHSILDAR, DEVIKULAM TALUK, DEVIKULAM, IDUKKI DISTRICT-685613.** - **5 THE SPECIAL TAHSILDAR (LR), DEVIKULAM TALUK, DEVIKULAM P.O., IDUKKI DISTRICT-685613.** - **6 THE VILLAGE OFFICER, MANKULAM VILLAGE, MANKULAM P.O., IDUKKI DISTRICT-685609.** - **7 THE LAND TRIBUNAL, THODUPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY TAHSILDAR, LR, THODUPUZHA.** **SRI.M.R.DHANIL, GOVT.PLEADER** ## **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON** ## **14.02.2019, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** ## ALEXANDER THOMAS, J. --------------------------------- ## W.P.(C)No.4138 of 2019 ---------------------------------- Dated this the 14[th] day of February, 2019 ## J U D G M E N T The prayers in the above Writ Petition (Civil) are as follows: " - _i. To issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate order or direction commanding the respondents not to transfer the Ext.P2 applications to the Tahsildar, Devikulam from the Land Tribunal, Thodupuzha and direct the respondents No.7 to pass final orders forthwith and communicate the same to the petitioners._ - _ii. To declare that the impugned action of winding up Land Tribunal, Thodupuzha is null and void and unconstitutional or such move would adversely affect administration of justice, law and equity._ - _iii. To issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding the 7[th] respondent to pronounce the final verdict on Ext.P2 series forthwith._ - _iv. To issue a writ of mandamus commanding the 7[th] respondent to dispose of Ext.P5 representation at the earliest and to communicate the decision thereof to the petitioners without any delay._ - _v. To pass such other orders deems fit to pass in the interest of justice, equity and good exercise. And_ - _vi. To allow the WP(C) with costs of the petitioners. "_ 2. Heard Sri.K.Balachandran, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and Sri.M.R.Dhanil, learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents. 3. The petitioners are settlers of Idukki district and they claim to have possession and enjoyment of the respective parcels of garden land in Mankulam Village on the strength of title deeds executed on behalf of the erstwhile Poonjar Royal family. That as W.P.(C).No.4138/2019 ..7.. per the Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, the petitioners would claim the benefit of deemed tenenacy as per Sec.7E of the Kerala Land Reforms Act as amended and they would contend that they are entitled and eligible for certificate of title. The petitioners have filed Original Applications to the 7[th] respondent Land Tribunal, Thodupuzha. It is pointed out that all the formalities and procedures like aducing evidence and final hearing in the case has been over and that Original Applications have been posted only for rendering of the final verdict which are awaited. The apprehension of the petitioners is that in the meanwhile the State Land Board Authorities have taken some decision to transfer the cases in certain Tribunals including that in the Land Tribunal, Thodupuzha to certain other designated authorities which is sought to be done, etc. The petitioners would point out that since the entire formalities of consideration of Original Applications like adducing evidence and final hearing in the case are over, then it is highly unjust and illegal to transfer those cases from the 7[th] respondent Land Tribunal, Thodupuzha to other Tribunals etc. 4. It is thus prayed that this Court may direct the respondents that the cases involving the petitioners in which final hearing have already been W.P.(C).No.4138/2019 ..8.. concluded, should not be transferred from the file of the 7[th] respondent Tribunal, Thodupuzha and that directions may also be given to the said Tribunal to render its final verdict in the matter without any further delay. 5. The petitioners have made available a copy of the circular No.L.B.A3-11247/2017 dated 28.1.2019 issued by the State Land Board, Thiruvananthapuram which reads as follows. " എൽ. ബബ.എ3 - 11247/2017 ലലാൻഡഡ് ബബലാർഡഡ് ഓഫഫീസഡ് തബരുവനന്തപുരരം - 695033 ബഫലാൺ നരം.0471 2322841, 2328149 ഇ-മമെയബൽ : slbtvpm@gmail.com തഫീയതബ. 28.01.2019 മസക്രട്ടറബ ലലാൻഡഡ് ബബലാർഡഡ് ജബലലാ കളക്ടർ (തബരുവനന്തപുരരം, മകലാലരം, ഇടുകബ, പത്തനരംതബട്ട, ബകലാട്ടയരം, ആലപ്പുഴ) സർ, വബഷയരം: - ബകരളരം ഭൂപരബഷ്കരണ നബയമെരം , 1936 ലലാൻഡഡ് ടട്രൈബുണൽ ബകസുകൾ സമെയബനബതമെലായബ തഫീർപലാകുന്നതബനലായുള്ള നടപടബകൾ സരംബനബച. സൂചന : - 1. സർകലാർ ഉത്തരവഡ് (പബ) നരം.5/ 2019 / ആർ .ഡബ. തഫീയതബ 18.01.2019 2.സർകലാർ ഉത്തരവഡ് (പബ) നരം.4/2019 / ആർ .ഡബ. തഫീയതബ 18.01.2019 സൂചനയബബലക്കു ശ്രദ്ധ ക്ഷണബക്കുന. ബകരളത്തബൽ ഭൂപരബഷ്കരണ നബയമെരം നടപബ ലലാകബയബട്ടു 55 വർഷങ്ങൾ കഴബഞബട്ടുരം കുടബയലാനലാർ, കുടബകബടപ്പുകലാർ തുടങ്ങബയവർ ഭൂമെബയുമട അവകലാശത്തബനലായബ ഇനബയുരം കലാത്തബരബക്കുനമവന്നതഡ് ആശലാവഹമെലായ സരംഗതബയല. W.P.(C).No.4138/2019 ..9.. തബരുവനന്തപുരരം, മകലാലരം,പത്തനരംതബട്ട, ഇടുകബ, ബകലാട്ടയരം, ആലപ്പുഴ ജബലകളബമല ലലാൻഡഡ് ടട്രൈബുണലുകളബൽ 500 ൽ തലാമഴ ബകസുകമള ഇനബ തഫീർപലാകലാനുള. എന്നലാൽ തൃശൂർ മുതലുള്ള വടകൻ ജബലകളബൽ 20000 മുതൽ 30000 ബകസുകളലാണഡ് ഓബരലാ ടട്രൈബുണലബലുരം തഫീർപലാകലാനുള്ളതഡ്. ഈ ജബലകളബമല ജനങ്ങളുമട ഭൂമെബക്കു ബമെലുള്ള അവകലാശത്തബനലായുള്ള ദഫീർഘകലാലമത്ത കലാത്തബരബപഡ് പരബഗണബചരം ഈ ജബലകളബമല ലലാൻഡഡ് ടട്രൈബുണൽ ജഫീവനകലാരുമട അമെബത ബജലാലബ ഭലാരരം പരബഗണബചരം ഈ ജബലകളബൽ പുതബയ 6 ലലാൻഡഡ് ടട്രൈബുണൽ ഓഫഫീസുകൾ സൂചന (1) പ്രകലാരരംഅധബകമെലായബ സൃഷഡ്ടബചബരബക് **ക** ു യലാണഡ്. തബരുവനന്തപുരരം, മകലാലരം, പത്തനരംതബട്ട, ഇടുകബ, ബകലാട്ടയരം, ആലപ്പുഴ ജബലകളബമല നബലവബമല 6 ലലാൻഡഡ് ടട്രൈബുണലുകളബൽ ബലാകബ നബൽക്കുന്ന ബകസുകൾ സമെയബനബതമെലായബ തഫീർപലാകലാൻ ടബ ജബലകളബമല എലലാ തലാലൂക് **ക** ു ളബലുമെലായബ പുതബയ 34 ലലാൻഡഡ് ടട്രൈബുണൽ സൂചന (2) പ്രകലാരരം സൃഷബചരം അതലാതു തലാലൂകഡ് തഹസബൽദലാർമെലാർകഡ് ഇവയുമട അധബക ചുമെതല നൽകബയുരം സർകലാർ ഉത്തരവലായബട്ടുണഡ്. ഈ സലാഹചരര്യത്തബൽ സർകലാർ ഉത്തരുവുകൾ പലാലബകുന്നതബനഡ്മറ ഭലാഗമെലായബ തബരുവനന്തപുരരം, മകലാലരം, ആലപ്പുഴ, പത്തനരംതബട്ട, ബകലാട്ടയരം, ഇടുകബ ജബലകളബമല ലലാൻഡഡ് ടട്രൈബുണലുകളബൽ തഫീർപലാകലാൻ ബലാകബ നബൽക്കുന്ന ബകസുകൾ തലാലൂകഡ് അടബസലാന ത്തബൽ തരരംതബരബച അതലാതു തലാലൂകഡ് തഹസബൽദലാർ മെലാർക്കു ഒരലാഴ്ചയ് **ക** ്ക രം ടകമെലാറബ ടകപറ്റു രസഫീതഡ് വലാബങ്ങണതുരം ആയതബമന പകർപഡ് ലലാൻഡഡ് ബബലാർഡബബലകഡ് സമെർപബബകണതുമെലാണഡ്. ഈ കലാരര്യങ്ങൾ നബർവഹബച എന്ന കലാരര്യരം ജബലലാ കളക്ടർമെലാർ ഉറപ്പുവരുബത്തണ തലാണഡ്. **==> picture [87 x 51] intentionally omitted <==** 6. The petitioners would point out that it is on the basis on the directions issued in paragraph 2 of the abovesaid Circular dated 28.1.2019, even the cases of the petitioners in which final hearing have already been concluded are also sought to be transferred from the file of the Tribunal. W.P.(C).No.4138/2019 ..10.. 7. Having heard Sri.K.Balachandran, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and Sri.M.R.Dhanil, learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, this Court is of the view that in case the abovesaid Original Applications filed by the petitioners have already been finally heard and reserved for final orders in the matter by the 7[th] respondent Land Tribunal, Thodupuzha, then it is not right and proper to transfer such cases from the file of the 7[th] respondent Tribunal and as otherwise it would definitely affect not only the rights and interest of the applicants but also the respondents as well as the final verdict could be rendered in the matter by the same Tribunal without any further delay so as to have early conclusion of the adjudication proceedings by the Tribunal. Accordingly it is ordered that in case the Original Applications in respect of petitioners have already been finally heard and reserved by the 7[th] respondent Land Tribunal, Thodupuzha, then the said cases shall not be transferred from the file of the 7[th] respondent Tribunal and the 7[th] respondent Tribunal will ensure that final orders are passed without any further delay, preferably within a period of one month, in cases where the matters have already been finally heard. The learned W.P.(C).No.4138/2019 **==> picture [22 x 7] intentionally omitted <==** Government Pleader will immediately convey these directions to the competent official among the respondents as well as to the 7[th] respondent Tribunal for necessary information. The petitioners will produce copy of this judgment before the respondent authorities concerned as well as before the 7[th] respondent Land Tribunal, Thodupuzha. With these observations and directions, the above Writ Petition (Civil) will stand finally disposed of. Sd/- ALEXANDER THOMAS, JUDGE MMG W.P.(C).No.4138/2019 ..12.. ## **APPENDIX** **PETITIONERS' EXHIBITS:** **EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 8.4.2010 IN W.P.(C) NO.14674 OF 2007 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT.** **EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONERS BEFORE THE 7TH RESPONDENT.** **EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE RECEIPTS RECEIVED BY THE PETITIONERS FROM THE 7TH RESPONDENT.** **EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF THE REPORTS SUBMITTED BY VILLAGE OFFICER IN FAVOR OF THE PETITIONERS.** **EXHIBIT P5 TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONERS BEFORE THE 7TH RESPONDENT.**