Kerala Court Rejects Government Claim Over Cheruvally Estate

In a significant legal development, the Pala Sub Court has rejected the Kerala government’s petition claiming ownership of the Cheruvally Estate, siding with the private owners. The ruling states that the government has no legal claim over the land, a decision that could have major implications for the proposed Sabarimala Greenfield Airport project type.

The Cheruvally Estate is a vast landholding of approximately 2,263 acres, located near Erumely in the Kottayam-Pathanamthitta region. Strategically positioned along the route to the Sabarimala pilgrimage site, the estate has historically been used for rubber and other plantation crops. The estate is owned by the Ayana Charitable Trust , affiliated with the Believers Church, which legally purchased the land in 2005. Over the years, the Kerala government has repeatedly attempted to claim ownership, arguing that parts of the estate were government land under lease.

The dispute over the Cheruvally Estate has lasted more than a decade. The government’s interest intensified due to plans to construct the Sabarimala Greenfield Airport on the estate, aimed at improving connectivity for the millions of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala annually. Earlier, the Kerala High Court had questioned aspects of the government’s land acquisition process, adding to the complexity of the case. Despite several attempts, the state had not been able to secure clear legal ownership of the property.

The Pala Subordinate Court’s decision firmly rejected the government’s claims. The court highlighted that the estate’s ownership by the Ayana Charitable Trust is valid and dismissed arguments that the land belonged to the state due to an expired lease. While government officials have stated that the ruling primarily addresses procedural issues, it nonetheless represents a setback for the state’s airport plans, as acquiring this land is critical to the project’s feasibility.

The ruling raises questions about the future of the Sabarimala Greenfield Airport, as the government may now need to appeal the decision, negotiate a purchase, or explore alternative sites. Analysts suggest that the decision underscores the legal and logistical challenges of large infrastructure projects in Kerala, particularly those involving privately owned land near environmentally and culturally sensitive sites. The Cheruvally Estate case highlights the ongoing tensions between development ambitions and private property rights, and the ruling is expected to be closely watched by both the government and local stakeholders.