Supreme Court Puts Brake on Kerala High Court Waqf Land Order

The Supreme Court has halted a Kerala High Court order labeling the Munambam land as a 'land-grabbing tactic' by the Waqf Board. The court upheld the inquiry into the land's ownership. The case involves disputed claims by local residents against the Waqf Board over land in Ernakulam district.

The Supreme Court on Friday halted the implementation of a Kerala High Court order that described the designation of Munambam land as waqf by the Kerala Waqf Board as a 'land-grabbing tactic.'

The bench, comprising Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan, clarified that while it maintains the status quo on the disputed property, it has not put a stop to the high court's directive to appoint an inquiry commission to investigate the land's ownership.

The case involves villages in Ernakulam district, where residents claim the Waqf Board is unlawfully claiming their land, despite official deeds and tax receipts. A plea challenging the high court's earlier decision has prompted the Supreme Court to call for a government response.

(With inputs from agencies.)