Jacobite faction commited contempt of court: SC directs six churches to be handed over to Orthodox faction 

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has directed that the administration of the six churches owned by the Jacobite faction be handed over to the Orthodox faction. The administration of Pulinthanam, Mazhuvannur and Odakkali churches in Ernakulam and Mangalam Dam, Cherukunnu and Erukkumchira churches in Palakkad district should be handed over.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that the Supreme Court had ruled in 2017 that the churches should be governed under the 1934 Malankara Church Constitution and that the Jacobite faction had committed contempt of court by deliberately disobeying the verdict. The Jacobite faction should file an affidavit after handing over the administration. If not, it will lead to contempt of court proceedings.

The court also directed the Orthodox faction to ensure that the Jacobite faction receives the public facilities including the cemetery, school and hospital under the church. This should be given in writing to the court. The case will be taken up again on December 17.
The Supreme Court observed that the final decision in the church dispute has been given and only the implementation of the verdict is left.
The high court had directed the district collectors to take over these churches. Contempt of court proceedings were also initiated against officials, including the chief secretary, for not complying with the order. The earlier directive that the officials need not appear in the high court was extended yesterday.

Orthodox faction lawyer KK Venugopal pointed out that the state government was supporting the Jacobite faction for political reasons. The government had informed the Supreme Court that it was trying to avoid bloodshed and find a permanent solution. Due to strong opposition from the Jacobite faction, many churches were transferred through police actions in the past.