Probe Ordered in Munambam Waqf Dispute by Kerala High Court

In a decisive move, the Kerala High Court has authorized a governmental inquiry into the long-running Munambam Waqf land dispute, stating that petitioners challenging the investigation appeared to be acting under the influence of “certain other interested parties with ulterior purposes.” The division bench permitted state government appeals, overturning a single-judge decision that had previously halted the formation of an inquiry commission. This commission was intended to resolve disagreements between approximately 600 residents and the Waqf Board. Residents have voiced grievances regarding difficulties in paying land taxes and completing mutation procedures, claiming their ancestors purchased the land from Farook College. The land in question was gifted to Farook College in 1950. Years later, the Kerala Waqf Board designated it as waqf property, which invalidated prior sales and ignited opposition from the residents. The state government established the commission, headed by retired Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair, in late 2024 to find a permanent solution for bona fide occupants and those who had acquired rights from third parties. The High Court questioned the petitioners’ claims of being “persons aggrieved,” noting they had not shown direct harm and had waited years before challenging the commission. The court pointed out that third-party rights had been established since 2019. It was highlighted that Farook College has always maintained the 1950 deed was a gift, not a waqf deed. The court concluded that the petitioners were likely fronting for undisclosed entities attempting to seize the property from Farook Management. The Kerala Waqf Board’s non-opposition to the government’s commission was also a key observation. This High Court ruling clears the path for the inquiry commission to commence its proceedings, aiming to settle the decades-old Munambam dispute.