Kerala High Court
Dr.Lisy Mathew vs State Of Kerala on 7 July, 2022
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN
THURSDAY, THE 7TH DAY OF JULY 2022 / 16TH ASHADHA, 1944
WP(C) NO. 27465 OF 2012
PETITIONER/S:
1 DR.LISY MATHEW
D/O.MATHEW FERNANDES, TC 76/1771 (1) MAIRA
GLOW,KADAKAMPALLY ROAD, ANAYARA P.O.,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAMREP. BY HER POWER OF ATTORNEY
HOLDER MATHEW FERNANDES, S/O.ALPHONES FERNANDES,
TC 76/1771 (1) MARIA GLOW, KADAKAMPALLY ROAD,
ANAYARA P.O.,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 029.
2 GEORGE MATHEW SO.MATHEW FERNANDES TC 761771 1
MARIA GLOW
KADAKAMPALLY ROAD, ANAYARA P.O.,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAMREP. BY HER POWER OF ATTORNEY
HOLDER MATHEW FERNANDES, S/O.ALPHONES FERNANDES,
TC 76/1771 (1) MARIA GLOW, KADAKAMPALLY ROAD,
ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 029.
BY ADVS.
SRI.K.K.DHEERENDRAKRISHNAN
SRI.S.RAJEEV
RESPONDENT/S:
1 STATE OF KERALA
REP. BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, LOCAL SELF
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT
SECRETARIAT,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 001.
2 THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
COLLECTORATE, CIVIL STATION,
KUDAPPANAKUNNU,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 043.
3 THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OIFFICER
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM CIVIL STATION
KUDAPPANAKUNNU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 043.
4 THE VILLAGE OFFICER PANGAPPARA VILLAGE OFFICE
PANGAPPARA
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 581.
-2-
W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
5 THE AGRICULTURAL OFFICER KRISHI BHAVAN
SREEKARIYAM
SREEKARIYAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 017.
6 THE SECRETARY CORPORATION OF THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
VIKAS BHAVAN P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695 033.
7 SRI.ABDUL RASHEED RASHEEDA GANDHIPURAM
SREEKARIYAM P.O
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 017.
8 GANDHIPURAM RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION GANDHIPURAM
SREEKARIYAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695
017REP. BY ITS GENERAL SECRETARY.
BY ADVS.
SRI.P.V.ANIL
SRI.P.K.MANOJKUMAR
SRI.N.NANDAKUMARA MENON SR.
OTHER PRESENT:
SMT.VIDYA KURIAKOSE, GP
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR
ADMISSION ON 07.07.2022, ALONG WITH WP(C).2322/2013, THE
COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
-3-
W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN
THURSDAY, THE 7TH DAY OF JULY 2022 / 16TH ASHADHA, 1944
WP(C) NO. 2322 OF 2013
PETITIONER/S:
ABDUL RASHEED REP. BY POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER
ABDUL LATHEEF
S/O. MOHAMMED MYTHEEN, RASHEEDA, G.R.A.B. 36,
KATTUVILAKAM LANE, GANDHIPURAM, SREEKARYAM
P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695017, REPRESENTED BY
HIS POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER MR. ABDUL LATHEEF,
AGED 56, THOMBODUPUTHEN VEEDU, CHEKKAMKODU,
NEDUMANGADU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
BY ADV SRI.P.V.ANIL
RESPONDENT/S:
1 STATE OF KERALA
REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY, LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT
DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.
2 THE DISTRICT COLLECTO
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, CIVIL STATION,
KUDAPPANAKUNNU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695043.
3 THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, CIVIL STATION,
KUDAPPANAKUNNU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695043.
4 THE VILLAGE OFFICER
PANGAPPARA VILLAGE OFFICE, PANGAPPARA,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695581.
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W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
5 MR. PRAKASH
AGED 44 YEARS
S/O. SHIVANKUTTY CHETTIYAR, HOUSE NO. 3/468,
PAZHAVILA VEEDU, GANDHIPURAM, SREEKARYAM P.O.,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695017.
6 DR. LIZY MATHEW
TC/76/1771(1) MARIAGLOW, KADAKAMPALLY ROAD,
ANAYARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029.
7 GEORGE MATHEW
TC/76/1771(1) MARIAGLOW, KADAKAMPALLY ROAD,
ANAYARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029.
BY ADVS.
GOVERNMENT PLEADER
SRI.K.K.DHEERENDRAKRISHNAN
SRI.S.RAJEEV
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR
ADMISSION ON 07.07.2022, ALONG WITH WP(C).27465/2012, THE
COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
-5-
W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, J.
======================================================
W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
=============================================================
Dated this the 7th day of July, 2022
JUDGMENT
These two writ petitions are connected and therefore, I am
disposing of these matters by a common judgment.
2. In both these writ petitions, the order No.I1-
25246/10 dated 27.08.2012 of the Revenue Divisional Officer,
Thiruvananthapurram is challenged. I will narrate the facts in
WP(C) No.27465 of 2012 first. The petitioners submitted
Ext.P6 complaint before the Revenue Divisional Officer against
one Prakash alleging that there is violation of the Kerala
Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008.
Consequent to the same, Ext.P9 order was passed by the
Revenue Divsiional Officer, directing the above mentioned
Prakash to restore back the original position of the water
channel within the time specified in the order. The petitioners
W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
filed WP(C) No.13650 of 2012 to implement Ext.P9 order.
This Court disposed of the writ petition as per Ext.P10
judgment. The relevant portion of Ext.P10 judgment reads
thus:
"6. In that view of the matter, there will be a
direction to the 2nd respondent to conduct due enquiry
and take a decision in the matter after notice to the
petitioner, Shri Prakash, whose name is shown in
Exhibit P3 and the assignee from Shri Prakash, within a
period of six weeks from the date of production of a
copy of the judgment along with a copy of the Writ
Petition, by the petitioner.
The Writ Petition is disposed of as above."
3. From the above observation, it is clear that this Court
directed to take a decision after notice to the petitioners,
Prakash, whose name is shown in the order and the assignee
from Prakash. Meanwhile, some of the local residents
submitted a complaint before the Revenue Divisional Officer
alleging that the petitioners illegally reclaimed the paddy land.
W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
Both these proceedings were considered together by the
Revenue Divisional Officer and Ext.P21 order was passed. In
Ext.P21, the following directions are issued.
"1. പാങ്ങപ്പാറ വില്ലേജിലെ റീ സർവ്വെ 164-21-1-ലെ 9.38
ആർ 164-20-1-ലെ 6.80 ആർ, 164-10-ലെ 5.50 ആർ നിലം
നെൽകൃഷിക്ക് അനുയോജ്യമായ രീതിയിൽ അതിർത്തിയിലെ
കരിങ്കല്ല് കൊണ്ടുള്ള അനധികൃത നിർമ്മാണ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾ
പൊളിച്ചു മാറ്റി മണ്ണിട്ടു നികത്തിയ വയൽ പരാതി കക്ഷിയായ
ഡോ. ലിസി മാത്യു പുനഃ സ്ഥാപിക്കേണ്ടതാണ് .
2 പാങ്ങപ്പാറ വില്ലേജിലെ റീ സർവ്വെ 164/15-ലെ 7.25 ആർ
164/16-ലെ 6.80 ആർ, 164/21-ലെ 7:02 ആർ നിലം
നെൽകൃഷിക്ക് അനുയോജ്യമായ രീതിയിൽ അതിർത്തിയിലെ
കരിങ്കല്ല് കൊണ്ടുള്ള അനധികൃത നിർമ്മാണ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾ
പൊളിച്ചു മാറ്റി മണ്ണിട്ടു നികത്തിയ വയൽ ശ്രീ ജോർജ് മാത്യു
പുനഃസ്ഥാപിക്കേണ്ടതാണ്.
3. മണ്ണിട്ടു നികത്തിയ സർവ്വെ 170/10-2-ലെ 2.42 ആർ
വസ്തുവിന് ചേർന്നുള്ള നീർച്ചാലിലെ മണ്ണ് നീക്കം ചെയ്ത്
സുഗമമായ നീരൊഴുക്ക് സാധ്യമാകത്തക്ക രീതിയിൽ എതിർ
കക്ഷിയായ ശ്രീപ്രകാശ്/ശ്രീ അബ്ദുൾ റഷീദ് സ്വന്തം
ചെലവിൽ പുനസ്ഥാപിക്കേണ്ടതാണ്.
4 മണ്ണിട്ടു നികത്തി റോഡാക്കിയ കൈത്തോട്
തിരുവനന്തപുരം നഗരസഭ പുനസ്ഥാപിക്കേണ്ടതും,
കൈത്തോട് പുനസ്ഥാപിക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള ചെലവ് ആയത്
W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
നികത്തിയ വ്യക്തികളിൽ നിന്നും തിരുവനന്തപുരം നഗരസഭ
സെക്രട്ടറി ഈടാക്കേണ്ടതാണ്.
മേൽ ഉത്തരവുകൾ ഈ നടപടിക്രമം കൈപ്പറ്റി 15
ദിവസത്തിനകം നടപ്പാക്കേണ്ടതാണ്."
4. The petitioners in this writ petition is aggrieved by
direction Nos.1 and 2 and the petitioner in WP(C) No.2322 of
2013 is aggrieved by the direction Nos.3 and 4. Ext.P10 is the
impugned order in WP(C) No.2322 of 2013.
5. Heard the counsel for the petitioners in these writ
petitions and the learned Government Pleader.
6. Admittedly, Ext.P21 order was passed by the
Revenue Divisional Officer invoking the powers under Section
13 of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act,
2008. As per Section 13, the District Collector is the authority
to pass appropriate orders. Admittedly, in this case the Revenue
Divisional Officer passed the order. Moreover, in Jafarkhan v.
Kochumarakkar [2012 (1) KLT 491], this Court observed that
W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
the District Collector is empowered to order reconversion of
land only if reclamation or conversion was made after
commencement of the Act. The counsel for the petitioners
submitted that the reclamation is permitted to the petitioners'
property as per Gazette Notification bearing No.E16/51965/17
dated 22.01.2021. Whatever that may be, these are matters to
be considered by the appropriate authority. Ext.P21 is an order
passed by an authority, who is incompetent to pass such order
under Section 13 of the 2008 Act. Therefore, the impugned
order of the Revenue Divisional Officer is only to be set aside.
Therefore, these writ petitions are disposed of in the
following manner:
1. The impugned order (Ext.P21 in WP(C) No.27465
of 2012 and Ext.P10 in WP(C) No.2322 of 2013) is
set aside.
W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
2. The District Collector, Thiruvananthapuram, the
2nd respondent in WP(C) No.27465 of 2012, will
reconsider the entire matter, after giving notice to the
petitioners in these cases.
3. The petitioners are free to produce additional
documents and statements before the District
Collector, if necessary.
sd/-
P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN
JUDGE
das
W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
APPENDIX OF WP(C) 27465/2012
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE SALE DEED NO. 2950/2006,
DATED 17.07.2006, DATED 17.7.2006, OF THE
SUB REGISTRAR OFFICE, KAZHAKKOOTTAM, IN
RESPECT OF THE PROPERTY OWNED BY THE 1ST
PETITIONER.
Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF SALE DEED NO. 3979/2006,
DATED 28.09.2006, OF THE SUB REGISTRAR
OFFICE, KAZHAKKOOTTAM, IN RESPECT OF THE
PROPERTY OWNED BY THE 2ND PETITIONER.
Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF TAX RECEIPT DATED 26.04.2002
IN RESPECT OF THE PROPERTY OWNED BY THE
1ST PETITIONER.
Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE TAX RECEIPT DATED
26.04.2012 IN RESPECT OF THE PROPERTY
OWNED BY THE 2ND PETITIONER.
Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF NOTIFICATION DATED 14.12.2009
ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT, NOTIFYING
FINAL FARE VALUE FOR THE LAND IN
PANGAPPARA VILLAGE IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
TALUK.
Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF COMPLAINT DATED 18.10.2010,
FILED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER BEFORE THE 3RD
RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF REPORT DATED 6.11.2010
SUBMITTED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT BEFORE THE
3RD RESPONDENT, ALONG WITH A LOCATION
SKETCH.
Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF REPORT DATED 8.11.2011
SUBMITTED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT BEFORE THE
3RD RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P9 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 31.03.2012 OF THE
3RD RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P10 TRUE COPY OF JUDGMENT DATED 25.06.2012 OF
THIS HON'BLE COURT IN W.P.C NO. 13650 OF
2012.
W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
Exhibit P11 TRUE COPY OF COMPLAINT DATED 20.04.2012
SUBMITTED BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT, AT
THE INITIATIVE OF THE 8TH RESPONDENT, BY
CERTAIN PERSONS STYLING THEMSELVES AS
RESIDENTS IN THE LOCALITY.
Exhibit P12 TRUE COPY OF FEW PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE TREES
STANDING ON THE PETITIONER'S PROPERTY.
Exhibit P13 TRUE COPY OF FEW PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE BARBED
WIRE FENCING ON THE BOUNDARY OF THE
PETITIONERS' PROPERTY.
Exhibit P14 TRUE COPY OF FEW PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE
DAMAGED BARBED WIRE FENCING ON THE
BOUNDARY OF THE PETITIONERS' PROPERTY.
Exhibit P15 TRUE COPY OF FEW PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE
DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE BARBED WIRE FENCING
ON THE BOUNDARY OF THE PETITIONERS'
PROPERTY DUE TO DUMPING OF SOIL BY THE
PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST OF THE 7TH
RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P16 TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT DATED 10.07.2012
SUBMITTED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT BEFORE THE
3RD RESPONDENT, ALONG WITH COPY OF
COMPLAINT DATED 11.6.2012 OF THE 8TH
RESPONDENT ENCLOSED THEREWITH.
Exhibit P17 TRUE COPY OF CERTIFICATE DATED 25.07.2012
ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P18 TRUE COPY OF INJUNCTION ORDER DATED
26.06.2012 IN I.A. NO. 4463 OF 2012 IN
O.S. NO. 1056 OF 2012, ON THE FILE OF THE
2ND ADDITIONAL MUNSIFF'S COURT,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
Exhibit P19 TRUE COPY OF STATEMENT DATED 9.8.2012
SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF THE PETITIONER,
BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P20 TRUE COPY OF THE STATEMENT DATED 9.8.2012
SUBMITTED BY THE 5TH RESPONDENT ALONG WITH
ITS ENCLOSURE.
Exhibit P21 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 27.08.2012 OF THE
3RD RESPONDENT.
W.P.(C) Nos.27465 of 2012 & 2322 of 2013
APPENDIX OF WP(C) 2322/2013
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE SALE DEED NO.1996/2012
DATED 14.05.2012 OF SUB REGISTRAR'S OFFICE,
KAZHAKKOOTTAM.
Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE TAX RECEIPT NO . 0144528
DATED 16.07.2012 ISSUED BY THE 4TH
RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 26.06.2012 IN
I.A. NO. 4463/2012 IN O.S. NO.1056/2012 OF
2ND ADDITIONAL MUNSIFF COURT,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE PLAINT IN O.S.
NO.1056/2012 ON THE FILE OF 2ND ADDITIONAL
MUNSIFF COURT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF NOTICE NO. 11-25246/10 DATED
30.07.2012 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT DATED 18.10.2010
FILED BY THE 6TH RESPONDENT BEFORE THE 3RD
RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT ALONG WITH THE
LOCATION MAP NO.1160/10 DATED 06.11.2010
FILED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT BEFORE THE 3RD
RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 31.03.2012 BY
NO.II-25246/2010 OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P9 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 25.06.2012
IN WP(C) NO.13650/2012 OF THIS HON'BLE
COURT
Exhibit P10 TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO. II - 25246/10 DATED
27/08/2012 OF THE 3RD RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P11 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED
20.11.2012 IN WP(C) NO.27465/2012 OF THIS
HON'BLE COURT.
Exhibit P12 TRUE COPY OF THE POWER OF ATTORNEY DATED
06.10.2012 EXECUTED BY THE PETITIONER.
