HC wants LRC to look into Dileep's case

KOCHI: The high court on Friday ordered land revenue commissioner (LRC) to pass orders on an appeal challenging Thrissur district collector's finding that there is no government ('puramboke') land in possession of actor Dileep at Chalakkudy, where his multiplex venture 'D Cinemaas' is situated.
Justice P R Ramachandra Menon considered a petition filed by advocate K C Santhosh of Thottakattukara in Aluva alleging that the multiplex is built on government-owned 'puramboke' land that cannot be alienated or leased out and that the collector's finding in favour of the actor is erroneous.
During the hearing on Friday, petitioner's counsel submitted that an appeal was filed before the LRC last year challenging the collector's order in favour of the actor. The petitioner will be satisfied if a direction is given to the LRC to consider the appeal and pass orders within a reasonable time, the counsel informed.
Following the submission, the court said it is not necessary to adjudicate the case on merits in view of the limited plea and ordered the LRC to consider and pass appropriate orders within two months.
The LRC should hear the versions of Chalakkudy municipality and P Gopalakrishnan of Aluva (Dileep's real name) also, the court directed.
Further, the court clarified that it is leaving all issues open and declared that it has not expressed any opinion with regard to the rival contentions.
As per the petition, the land in question originally belonged to the maharaja of Cochin. Basic tax register (BTR) of Chalakkudy village shows that the property belongs to the kovilakom (palace) and is shown as puramboke land known as 'oottupura parambu', it was alleged.
Relying on an order issued by the government of Kerala on June 24, 1964, the petitioner had contended that the land belonged to the government and only royal family members had the right to use the land.
In 2006, Dileep had bought the land from Biju Philip, Augustin, Paul, and Saji. He bought 11.53 cents each by registering eight deeds and another deed for 16.48 cents, totalling 92.29 cents, the petition had stated.