The Kerala High Court has allowed Munambam residents to remit land tax despite objections from the Kerala Waqf Board, granting interim relief in the long-running land dispute and directing revenue authorities to accept tax payments immediately.
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KERALA: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday granted interim relief to residents of Munambam, who are embroiled in a long-standing land dispute with the Kerala Waqf Board, by directing revenue authorities to accept land tax payments for their properties.
Justice C Jayachandran passed the order while considering a batch of petitions, including one filed by the Bhoo Samrakshana Samithy and several affected residents who were denied the opportunity to pay land tax due to objections raised by the Waqf Board.
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Petitioners’ Arguments
The petitioners informed the Court that they have been living on the property for decades and have registered gift and sale deeds proving a clear title, but the village office refused to receive land tax, citing the Waqf Board’s claim.
The petition stated that:
“The petitioners have got absolute title over the properties and they are even now paying tax as per the earlier sale deeds. However, the Village Officer is refusing to accept the tax of respective properties on the reasoning that the Waqf Board raised claim over the properties.”
It was further argued that:
“What is required is to accept tax in respect of the properties and other related activities, such as mutation, transfer, mortgage etc, which cannot be denied by the authorities.”
The petitioners also highlighted that the land was originally gifted in 1950 by Mohammed Siddique Sait to Farook College for development purposes, and according to available records, it was never registered as waqf property at that time. Over the years, the college management sold portions of the land to residents, enabling them to construct houses after obtaining valid building permits.
Interim Order of the Court
After reviewing the facts, the Court directed the revenue department to accept tax payments without delay, granting interim relief to families facing administrative blocks.
Advocates OD Sivadas and Vinaya V appeared for the Bhoo Samrakshana Samithy.
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Background: Munambam Land Dispute
The coastal land once measured 404.76 acres, now reduced to about 135.11 acres due to sea erosion. Several families have been living on this land for generations, resulting in long-standing disputes between residents and Farook College.
The conflict escalated when the Kerala Waqf Board in 2019 registered the entire land as waqf property, effectively rendering previous sale deeds void and raising fears of eviction. This triggered protests and legal challenges.
Residents filed a case before the Waqf Tribunal in Kozhikode. Amid rising public concern, the State government appointed a commission in November 2024 headed by former Justice CN Ramachandran Nair to suggest solutions.
However:
- In March 2025, a Single Judge quashed the commission, ruling that the government lacked statutory power to examine waqf properties.
- In October 2025, a Division Bench reversed the decision, allowing the commission to proceed.
- An appeal filed by Kerala Waqf Samrakshana Vedhi is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
Case Title:
The Bhoo Samrakshana Samithy & ors v The District collector & ors and connected cases
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