Special Team Set Up To Probe Involvement Of Revenue Officials In Allegedly Forging Title Deeds In Munnar & Idukki Districts: Govt Tells Kerala HC

The Special Team has been constituted pursuant to the directions of the Court. The Court had directed the Government to form a Special Team consisting of high rank officials with the team of others including revenue officials to enquire and investigate the role of public officials in forging the Patta, including receiving gratification.

The Division Bench comprising Justice A.Muhamed Mustaque and Justice S Manu recorded the submissions of the government regarding the Special Team.

1. “Shri K. Sethu Raman IPS, IGP North Zone – Chairman
2. Shri. H. Dineshan IAS, Director, Social Justice Department (Former District Collector, Idukki)-Member
3. Shri. Pious George, DySP, Narcotic Cell, Idukki – Member “

The court noted that the Government has further directed K. Sethu Raman and H.Dineshan to expand the Special Investigation Team by including the officials from the Police and Revenue Departments respectively.

Earlier, the Court sought instructions on whether any inquiry was conducted and action was taken against Devikulam Former Deputy Tahsildar M I Raveendran for issuing bogus title deeds.

The Court was of the view that further criminal investigation was warranted against the concerned public officials by a Special Team since it was not satisfied with the ongoing inquiry. The Court stated that the public officials might have forged title deeds in return of some gratification, and such inquiry should be conducted. The Court noted that only offences involving the Indian Penal Code were alleged against the revenue officials without conducting investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The Court passed the above order while considering cases about the utilization and encroachment of ecologically sensitive areas in the Munnar and Idukki districts. The leading case is a Public Interest Litigation filed back in 2010 to restrict and prevent illegal constructions in Munnar and Idukki districts. The petition was filed to prevent illegal land encroachments, identify encroachers and to conduct inquiry into the genuineness of title deeds.

Case Title: One Earth One Life v State of Kerala

Case Number: WP(C) NO. 1801 OF 2010 & Connected Cases

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