KOCHI: Not only the devotees but also rationalists must see the 72-year-old Babu Suresh's one-man struggle to recover the Devaswam land worth almost a thousand crore. The Azhakiya Kavu Bhagavathy temple had about 45 acres of land along the old national highway. Now only 9.45 acres. The price is 20-25 lakhs per cent.

Babu Suresh came back after 44 years in the Gulf. But he had to fight with the Devaswom Board, the Revenue Department, and the Police. 18 cases in four years. The cost of the cases in total is around 10 lakhs so far.

We should fight against false complaints made by our opponents.

Even though the revenue records are in favor of the Devaswom, the Cochin Devaswom Board is not interested in pursuing the case. Properties are in the name of the Lord. It has to be treated as minor property. The transfer is invalid.

After dusk, the temple grounds are taken over by drunkards and drug addicts. The first case was against this. The High Court ordered to protect the land adjacent to the original site. After that, Babu Suresh never slept peacefully. Series of threats, and false complaints at Pallarutty police station. Then 10 people came together to form the temple land protection committee. Babu Suresh's laptop contains ancient records and revenue records related to the temple land.
Babu Suresh, who built a house in 1996 on his wife's land adjacent to the temple grounds, returned home in November 2019 after ending his lighting design and supply business in Abu Dhabi.

Only Babusuresh and his wife Sheeba are in the house. Both daughters are in America. The eldest daughter is a lawyer there. The second one is preparing to study medicine.

King of Cochin, the owner

The temple was under the control of the King of Cochin and is now under the Cochin Devaswom Board. Industrial Estate, Village, Block, Kochi Corporation Regional Offices, etc. are located on the land that belonged to the temple. Most of the land is held by Kochi Corporation saying it is revenue land. Some individuals have also been granted titles.

Legal battle

1. The decision of the Cochin Devaswom Board to provide access to private persons through the middle of the temple land was withdrawn due to Babu Suresh's case.
2. Out of the 9.45-acre land of the temple, the sub-collector corrected the revenue record and made 4.45-acre revenue land. The High Court quashed the action and ordered a review.
3. 19th case for contempt of court due to non-implementation will be filed this week.