The Kerala High Court on Thursday extended until June 16 the time granted to the state government to resolve issues surrounding the proposed eviction drive at Pariyathukavu in Malayidamthuruth of Kizhakkambalam village in Ernakulam.
Court Order and Background
The order was passed by Justice T R Ravi while considering an interlocutory application filed by the Superintendent of Police (SP), Ernakulam rural, seeking additional time to evict seven Dalit families from a disputed parcel of land at Pariyathukavu in compliance with a court order. Earlier, on May 25, the High Court had granted time till June 9 after the state government informed the court that efforts were underway to resolve the issue amicably.
However, while considering the execution petition on June 1, the Perumbavoor munsiff court directed the police to provide adequate protection to the amin, advocate commissioner, and other court officials to facilitate the execution of the decree by June 9 in compliance with the High Court order. Following the munsiff court's directions, the SP approached the High Court again seeking additional time to settle the dispute through negotiations between the parties.
High Court's Clarification
While considering the interlocutory application on Thursday, the High Court observed that the munsiff court's order appeared to have been passed on a misconception of a High Court direction and clarified that it had never issued any such direction. Subsequently, the High Court extended the time for resolving the issue till June 16.
Origin of the Dispute
The dispute traces its origins to a suit filed before the munsiff court in 1984 over the ownership of 2.62 acres of land in Pariyathukavu. The court decreed the suit in favour of the late Sankaran Nair of Kizhakkambalam. Although the defendants — Dalit families residing on the land — pursued a series of legal challenges, the decree and judgment were upheld by the higher courts, including the Supreme Court.
The state government has been attempting to find an amicable solution to avoid forcible eviction, and the High Court has now given additional time until June 16 for this purpose.
