Representing the Munambam land protection council, advocate V. Chidambaresh opposed the plea.
Published Dec 12, 2025 | 11:50 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 12, 2025 | 11:50 PM
Supreme Court. (iStock)
Synopsis: A bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan clarified that although the high court’s conclusion regarding the land not being Waqf property has been kept in abeyance, it has not stayed the high court’s approval of the state government’s decision to appoint a one-member commission to examine the nature and extent of the 404.76-acre parcel in Ernakulam.
The Supreme Court on Friday, 12 December, completed the hearing on the Waqf Protection Council’s SLP challenging the Kerala High Court Division Bench verdict on the disputed Munambam land and adjourned the matter to 27 January, 2026.
While the Court stopped short of granting the stay sought by the Waqf Protection Council, it put on hold the high court’s finding that, the land is not Waqf property and directed that status quo be maintained until the next hearing.
A bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan clarified that although the high court’s conclusion regarding the land not being Waqf property has been kept in abeyance, it has not stayed the high court’s approval of the state government’s decision to appoint a one-member commission to examine the nature and extent of the 404.76-acre parcel in Ernakulam.
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the Waqf Protection Council, argued that the high court had made “unwarranted” observations on the validity of the Waqf deed despite the matter being within the jurisdiction of the Waqf Tribunal, where related proceedings are ongoing.
Representing the Munambam land protection council, advocate V. Chidambaresh opposed the plea.
The state government informed the apex court that the inquiry commission had already submitted its report.
Reacting to the development, Munambam land protection council leader Joseph Benny told South First that, the council remained undeterred. “The case is now adjourned. We want complete rights over our land, and we will continue the legal fight.” He told.
The dispute over Munambam’s landownership escalated into a 414-day-long agitation, triggered by the Kerala Waqf Board’s claim over the land.
Residents, represented by the Munambam land protection council, staged a relay hunger strike at the Velankanni Matha Church in Kadappuram before calling it off after the state government offered assurances and the Kerala High Court permitted continued payment of land tax during the legal proceedings.
The council represents around 600 families who assert that they have lived on and paid dues for the land for generations.
Revenue Minister K. Rajan earlier said that no court had barred land mutation (pokkuvaravu) and that the state intended to move forward “unhindered.”
Law Minister P. Rajeev reaffirmed that no family would be evicted and promised full legal support, emphasising the chief minister’s direct assurance to the protest committee.
The state’s intervention included the appointment of a judicial commission, which reported in favour of residents, but whose authority was later questioned.
The subsequent appeal filed by the government led the high court Division Bench to rule that the land was not Waqf property, citing a 1950 deed showing the land as a donation to Farook College with a clause allowing the donor to reclaim it. This, the court held, meant the land did not retain the character of Waqf property.
This ruling paved the way for residents to resume paying land tax, easing fears of eviction.
However, the Waqf protection committee has challenged this conclusion in the Supreme Court, arguing that the high court overstepped by intervening while the issue was still pending before the Waqf Tribunal.
The committee now seeks to overturn the Division Bench verdict and reassert its claim over the Munambam land.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
