Prove claim: HC to harrisons
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The Kerala high court on Tuesday asked the Harrisons Malayalam Ltd to produce original deeds of the land in its possession, so as to check their authenticity. It also directed the company to surrender the excess land currently lying with it.
The court also refrained the Harrison Plantations from cutting the trees from the property till the cases pending before the court are disposed of.
A division bench comprising Justice M. Sasidharan Nambiar and Justice P. Bhavadasan directed the company to produce the original of the property deeds registered with the Kollam sub registrar officer along with photocopies of its Malayalam version.
The court also asked the revenue department to produce the deed and its Malayalam version from
the registrar’s office.
The court directed the high court registry to find out as to which was the “true legible” photocopy of the original document.
The court passed the order on a writ appeal filed by the state government alleging differences between the Malayalam version and the English translation of the property deed.
The state sought a directive that the large tracts of land being held by Harrisons Malayalam were liable to be forfeited under the Kerala Escheats and Forfeiture Act and protect the same as government lands.
Earlier, the high court had stayed the proceedings of the Taluk Land Board against Harrisons Malayalam.
As per the order of the Board, a total of 1845.22 acres should be surrendered by the company. The court also directed the board to consider the objections raised by the company on the land to be surrendered, and pass fresh orders.
The court observed that even if the company’s claim was allowed, there still would be excess land to be surrendered by it.
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