Ownership battle deepens as police probe alleged forgery in sale of Cheruvally estate

Even as the State government moves the High Court challenging the Pala sub-court order that dismissed its ownership claim over the Cheruvally estate, the police have launched a probe into the alleged forgery involved in the sale of the estate two decades ago.

FIRs have been opened at the Erumely and Manimala police stations under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including forgery, cheating and Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, based on complaints alleging forgery behind the land deal. The development assumes added significance as the Cheruvally Estate has been identified as the proposed site for the Sabarimala international greenfield airport.

The cases stem from a criminal petition filed by Baby Simon Punnakkunnel, a lawyer, before the Kanjirappally JFCM II. After a detailed hearing on the petition, the court has now directed the Erumely and Manimala police to investigate the complaints.

In his complaint, Mr. Punnakkunnel argued that more than 2,000 acres of land owned by the State were illegally transferred to Gospel for Asia, described as a fictitious trust, through forged title deeds. He alleged that the transfer was part of a criminal conspiracy involving Harrison Malayalam Limited, its directors during the 2005–2006 period and its major shareholders.

According to Rajesh M. Menon, counsel for the complainant, documents available with the Kanjirappally sub registrar office clearly establish that ownership of the estate rests with the government. “As per Document No. 4581/1955 dated 11/10/1955 of the Kanjirappally Sub Registrar Office, the land was purchased by the government under the Edavaka Rights Acquisition Act of 1955 for a consideration of ₹4,16,358 and has since remained in the possession of the government,” he pointed out.

Last month, the Pala sub court had dismissed a civil suit filed by the State government claiming ownership of the Cheruvally estate at Erumely. In its order, the court also clarified that the defendant, Ayana Trust (previously Gospel for Asia), does not hold an undisputed title over the property.