KOCHI: The Income Tax department issued a notice to Ernakulam Angamaly Archdiocese to pay up Rs. Three crores as fine for tax fraud in the controversial land deal. The archdiocese paid up the first installment of Rs. 55 lakhs.

The church sold three acres of land at different parts of the city of Kochi by showing a much lesser selling price on the documents. The authorities have issued notices to people who bought these lands and also to the mediator Saju Varghese.

The value was shown as Rs 6 lakhs per each cent while the actual selling price was Rs 16 lakhs.

The church had to sell 306.98 cents of land in order to pay back debts. Any further legal actions can be stopped by paying up the fine. If not, assets of the church will be attached.