Five cents missing from Justice V R Krishna Iyer's 'Satgamaya'

KOCHI: A shortfall of five cents was reported while measuring the land covering Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer's residence 'Satgamaya' in Ernakulam. According to the possession deed, the land covers 22 cents. However, when measured on Thursday as part of the government's acquisition, only 17 cents were inside the wall. The land at the MG Road KPCC junction is worth crores.

The residence will be converted into a legal research centre. The process is in its final stages. The site inspection was conducted on Thursday under the leadership of the Deputy Collector. Satgamaya was Justice Krishna Iyer's haven in his post-retirement life. Cultural leaders and administrators regularly came here for legal advice and arbitration discussions. Narendra Modi, when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, came here and met Krishna Iyer.

When Krishna Iyer's children decided to sell the house, Minister P. Rajeev intervened and expressed his willingness to take over. The family also favoured the suggestion.

VS Achuthanandan's intervention

• December 4, 2014: Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer passed away at the age of 100

• June 2016: V.S. Achuthanandan submitted a petition to the government to take over ‘Satgamaya’ and build a memorial.

• 2022: The demand for a memorial for Justice Krishna Iyer became strong. One crore was allocated in the budget for the initial steps

• The further process was time-consuming. The government had allocated Rs. 38.30 lakh last year for land acquisition expenses

• May 2, 2025: A special surveyor was appointed to measure the land and prepare a report

• May 29: Final site inspection led by the Deputy Collector