High Court stay on resorts and quarry in pattayam land, government can recover it in case of violation

KOCHI: The High court has stayed the construction of resorts on land which were given pattayam by the government for agriculture, housing and allied purposes. Such land cannot be used for any other purpose. The government has the power to take back land in case of violation of the rule. The division bench including Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Challi has rejected the appeal filed by Mahindra Holidays and Resorts and other landowners against the government's move to reclaim land.

The landowners argued that the stop memo was issued without prior notice and that the tehsildar had no authority to take back the land. However, the court pointed out that according to the Kerala Land Assignment Rules a prior notice is not mentioned. It is only necessary to hear the arguments of the occupants before revoking the pattayam. The proceedings have not reached that stage.