NEW DELHI: The government has informed the Supreme Court that nothing unlawful has happened in the Syro-Malabar Church land deal in which Major Archbishop Mar George Cardinal Alencherry is accused. A clean chit is being given to Alencherry after an affidavit stating that the land transaction took place after consultations according to canon law and Angamaly Archdiocese regulations and that there was no irregularity in the payment.

The government stated its stance before the bench chaired by Justice Dinesh Maheshwari on a petition filed by Alencherry seeking to quash the case related to the land transaction.

Statements of 83 people were recorded as part of the investigation. 57 documents were examined. 36 people bought the land. All have transferred the amount to the bank account of Angamaly Archdiocese. In the affidavit, the government stated that no one has paid more than what is on the records and no illegal transaction has taken place. There are 24 accused in the case including Alencherry.

Petitions filed by Bathery Diocese of Syro-Malankara Church and Thamarassery Diocese of Syro-Malabar Church against references in the High Court judgment that bishops do not have authority to sell the land and property of churches will be considered along with Alenchery's petition.