Kerala High Court
Church Of South India (Csi) vs Stanley Jose K.P on 11 March, 2026
Author: T.R. Ravi
Bench: T.R.Ravi
2026:KER:21809
OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025
1
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE T.R.RAVI
WEDNESDAY, THE 11TH DAY OF MARCH 2026 / 20TH PHALGUNA, 1947
OP(C) NO. 2851 OF 2025
OS NO.370 OF 2025 OF MUNSIFF COURT, ALUVA
PETITIONERS/DEFENDANT NO.1, 3 AND 4:
1 CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA (CSI)
COCHIN DIOCESE,
REPRESENTED BY ITS BISHOP RT. REV. KURIAN PETER,
AGED 53 YEARS, S/O. LATE K.J PETER,
CSI DIOCESE OFFICE,
PUMP JUNCTION, ALUVA,
PIN - 683101
2 RT. REV. KURIAN PETER
AGED 53 YEARS
S/O LATE K.J PETER,
BISHOP & CHAIRMAN, DIOCESAN COUNCIL,
CSI COCHIN DIOCESE OFFICE,
PUMP JUNCTION, ALUVA,
PIN - 683101
3 REV. P.K MAMMEN
AGED 52 YEARS
S/O. LATE KOCHITTY,
CHRIST CHURCH, KADAVANTHRA,
ELAMKULAM, ERNAKULAM,
PIN - 682020
BY ADVS.
SRI.K.R.VINOD
SMT.M.S.LETHA
SMT.ATHIRA K.S.
2026:KER:21809
OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025
2
RESPONDENTS/PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANTS NO.2 AND 5:
1 STANLEY JOSE K.P.
AGED 55 YEARS, S/O K. PAUL (LATE),
RESIDING AT SAM VILLA,
COURT ROAD, ARIYOR THEKKUMURI,
OTTAPALAM, PALAKKAD DISTRICT,
PIN - 679101
2 MOST REV. DR. REUBEN MARC
AGED 63 YEARS, MODERATOR,
NO. 5 WHITES ROAD, ROYAPETTAH,
CHENNAI, PIN - 600014
3 SHOJI JOY EDISSON
AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS,
CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER,
CSI COCHIN DIOCESE OFFICE,
PUMP JUNCTION, ALUVA.,
PIN - 683101
BY ADVS.
SRI.A.BALAGOPALAN
SHRI.A.RAJAGOPALAN
SHRI.M.N.MANMADAN
SRI.M.S.IMTHIYAZ AHAMMED
SMT.P.SEENA
SHRI.BIJOY S.
THIS OP (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 11.03.2026,
ALONG WITH OP(C) NOS.1882/2025, 1920/2025 AND 2788/2025, THE
COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2026:KER:21809
OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025
3
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE T.R.RAVI
WEDNESDAY, THE 11TH DAY OF MARCH 2026 / 20TH PHALGUNA, 1947
OP(C) NO. 1882 OF 2025
AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 15.07.2025 IN IA 3/2025 IN OS
NO.69 OF 2025 OF ADDITIONAL SUB COURT, NORTH PARAVUR
PETITIONER:
DIOCESE OF COCHIN, CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA,
REPRESENTED BY RT.REV.DR.MALAYIL SABU KOSHY
CHERIAN, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS,
MODERATORS COMMISSERY AND BISHOP IN CHARGE OF
DIOCESE OF COCHIN AND BISHOP CSI MADHYA KERALA
DIOCESE, DIOCESAN OFFICE, PUMP JUNCTION,
ALUVA WEST VILLAGE, ALUVA POST
ALUVA TALUK, PIN - 683101
BY ADVS.
SRI.K.R.VINOD
SMT.M.S.LETHA
RESPONDENTS:
1 STANLEY JOSE K.P
S/O K. PAUL(LATE),
AGED 55 YEARS, RESIDING AT SAM VILLA,
COURT ROAD, ARIYOR THEKKUMURI,
OTTAPALAM, PALAKKAD DISTRICT,
PIN - 679101
2 C. FERNANDEZ RATHINA RAJA
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS,
GENERAL SECRETARY,
CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA,
2026:KER:21809
OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025
4
CSI CENTER, NO:5, WHITES ROAD,
ROYAPETTAH, CHENNAI, PIN - 600014
3 RT.REV.DR REUBEN MARK
AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS,
DEPUTY MODERATOR,
CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA,
CSI CENTER, NO:5,
WHITES ROAD, ROYAPETTAH,
CHENNAI, PIN - 600014
BY ADVS.
SRI.M.G.JEEVAN
SHRI.SAJEEV KUMAR K.GOPAL
SMT.ANN SUSAN GEORGE
SMT.ASWATHY BABU
SMT.GOPIKA S. NAIR
THIS OP (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 11.03.2026,
ALONG WITH OP(C). NOS.2851/2025, 1920/2025 & 2788/2025, THE
COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2026:KER:21809
OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025
5
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE T.R.RAVI
WEDNESDAY, THE 11TH DAY OF MARCH 2026 / 20TH PHALGUNA, 1947
OP(C) NO. 1920 OF 2025
ORDER IN IA 3/2025 IN OS NO.69 OF 2025 OF ADDITIONAL
SUB COURT, NORTH PARAVUR
PETITIONER/PLAINTIFF:
STANLEY JOSE
AGED 54 YEARS
S/O K.PAUL (LATE),
RESIDING AT SAM VILLA COURT ROAD,
ARIYOR THEKKUMMURI, OTTAPPALAM VILLAGE,
OTTAPPALAM-2 OTTAPPALAM POST.
OTTAPPALAM TALUK,
PALAKKAD DISTRICT.,
PIN - 679101
BY ADVS.
SRI.M.G.JEEVAN
SMT.HEERA MURALEEDHARAN K.
RESPONDENTS/DEFENDANTS:
1 DIOCESE OF COCHIN
CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA,
REPRESENTED BY RT.REV.DR. MALAYIL SABU KOSHEE
CHERIAN, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS,
MODERATORS COMMISSERY AND BISHOP IN CHARGE OF
DIOCESE OF COCHIN AND BISHOP CSI MADHYA KERALA
DIOCESE, DIOCESAN OFFICE, PUMP JUNCTION,
ALUVA WEST VILLAGE, ALUVA POST,
ALUVA TALUK., PIN - 683101
2026:KER:21809
OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025
6
2 C.FERNANDEZ RATHINA RAJA
AGED 60 YEARS
GENERAL SECRETARY,
CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA,
CSI CENTER, NO:5, WHITES ROAD,
ROYAPETTAH, CHENNAI, PIN - 600014
3 RT.REV.DR.REUBEN MARK
AGED 60 YEARS
DEPUTY MODERATOR,
CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA,
CSI CENTER, NO:5, WHITES ROAD,
ROYAPETTAH, CHENNAI, PIN - 600014
BY ADVS.
SRI.K.R.VINOD
SMT.M.S.LETHA
THIS OP (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 11.03.2026,
ALONG WITH OP(C).NOS.2851/2025, 1882/2025 & 2788/2025, THE
COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2026:KER:21809
OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025
7
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE T.R.RAVI
WEDNESDAY, THE 11TH DAY OF MARCH 2026 / 20TH PHALGUNA, 1947
OP(C) NO. 2788 OF 2025
OS NO.348 OF 2025 OF MUNSIFF COURT, ALUVA
PETITIONERS/PETITIONERS/DEFENDANTS NO.1,3 AND 4:
1 CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA (CSI)
COCHIN DIOCESE,
REPRESENTED BY ITS BISHOP RT. REV. KURIAN PETER,
AGED 53 YEARS, S/O. LATE K.J PETER,
CSI DIOCESE OFFICE, PUMP JUNCTION,
ALUVA, PIN - 683101
2 RT. REV. KURIAN PETER
AGED 53 YEARS
S/O LATE K.J PETER,
BISHOP & CHAIRMAN, DIOCESAN COUNCIL,
CSI COCHIN DIOCESE OFFICE,
PUMP JUNCTION, ALUVA,
PIN - 683101
3 REV. P.K MAMMEN
AGED 52 YEARS
S/O. LATE KOCHITTY,
CHRIST CHURCH, KADAVANTHRA,
ELAMKULAM, ERNAKULAM,
PIN - 682020
BY ADVS.
SRI.K.R.VINOD
SMT.M.S.LETHA
SMT.ATHIRA K.S.
SHRI.ABDULLA P.A.
2026:KER:21809
OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025
8
RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS/PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANT NO.2:
1 STANLEY JOSE K.P.
AGED 55 YEARS, S/O K. PAUL (LATE),
RESIDING AT SAM VILLA,
COURT ROAD, ARIYOR THEKKUMURI,
OTTAPALAM, PALAKKAD DISTRICT,
PIN - 679101
2 MOST REV. DR. REUBEN MARC
AGED 63 YEARS, MODERATOR,
NO. 5 WHITES ROAD, ROYAPETTAH,
CHENNAI, PIN - 600014
BY ADVS.
SRI.A.BALAGOPALAN
SHRI.A.RAJAGOPALAN
SHRI.M.N.MANMADAN
SRI.M.S.IMTHIYAZ AHAMMED
SMT.P.SEENA
THIS OP (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 11.03.2026,
ALONG WITH OP(C).2851/2025, 1882/2025 & 1920/2025, THE COURT
ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2026:KER:21809
OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025
9
T.R. RAVI, J.
--------------------------------------------
O.P.(C). Nos.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 of 2025
--------------------------------------------
Dated this the 11th day of March, 2026
JUDGMENT
All these original petitions relate to the functioning of the Church of South India.
2. O.P.No.1882/2025 has been filed challenging the order in I.A.No.3/2025 in O.S.No.69/2025 pending before the Additional Sub Court, North Paravur. The contention of the petitioner is that the court lacked territorial jurisdiction. This Court has passed an interim order staying further proceedings in the said suit. It is now submitted that the suit itself has been withdrawn and hence the issue need not be gone into in this original petition. The original petition is closed as infructuous.
3. O.P.No.1920/2025 has been filed by the plaintiff in O.S.No.69/2025 of the Additional Sub Court, North Paravur seeking disposal of the suit. Since the suit has been withdrawn, no orders need be issued in this case also and this original petition is also closed as infructuous.
4. Pending the suit before the Additional Sub Court, 2026:KER:21809 OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025 10 North Paravur, two other suits O.S.No.348/2025 and O.S.No.370/2025 were filed before the Munsiff Court, Aluva by the very same plaintiff. Petitioners have a contention that those suits were moved without disclosing the fact that a suit had been filed earlier as O.S.No.69/2025 before the Additional Sub Court, North Paravur and this Court had stayed the said suit. The Munsiff Court, Aluva had issued interim orders in those suits which have been challenged in O.P.Nos.2788 of 2025 and 2851 of 2025. Interim orders were passed ex parte and this Court has by interim orders stayed the orders of injunction granted by the courts. Since the suit is only at the interim stage, I do not find any reason to retain these original petitions in this Court and stop the trial of the suit indefinitely.
In the above circumstances, these original petitions are disposed of making the interim orders absolute. The petitioners are directed to file their objections and written statements to the interlocutory applications and in the suit within three weeks and the court shall consider the same and pass orders after hearing both sides. The contention regarding territorial jurisdiction which has been raised in O.S.No.69/2025 is not gone into by this Court 2026:KER:21809 OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025 11 and is left open to be decided at the appropriate stage when the said issue is raised by the petitioners.
Sd/-
T.R. RAVI JUDGE Pn 2026:KER:21809 OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025 12 APPENDIX OF OP(C) NO. 2851 OF 2025 PETITIONERS' EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 THE COPY OF THE PLAINT IN O.S. NO.
370/2025 IN THE FILES OF MUNSIFF'S COURT, ALUVA Exhibit P2 THE COPY OF THE ORDER OF COMMUNICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF 3 RD PETITIONER AS FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR OF CSI COCHIN DIOCESE DATED 30.08.2025 Exhibit P3 THE COPY OF O.S.NO.348/2025 FILED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT HEREIN BEFORE THE MUNSIFF COURT, ALUVA Exhibit P4 THE COPY OF THE PLAINT IN O.S.NO.69/2025 IN THE FILES OF SUB COURT, NORTH PARAVUR, FILED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 Exhibit P5 THE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER OF STAY IN O.P.(C).NO.1882/2025 DATED 01.08.2025 OF THIS HON'BLE HIGH COURT Exhibit P6 THE COPY OF I.A.NO.3/2025 IN O.S.NO.348/2025 IN THE FILES OF THE MUNSIFFS COURT, ALUVA Exhibit P7 THE COPY OF THE ORDER IN O.P. (C).NO.2788/2025 DATED 07.11.2025 2026:KER:21809 OP(C) NOS.2851, 1882, 1920 & 2788 OF 2025 13 APPENDIX OF OP(C) NO. 1882 OF 2025 PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 THE COPY OF THE PLAINT IN O.S.NO.69/2025 IN THE FILES OF ADDITIONAL SUB COURT, NORTH PARAVUR Exhibit P2 THE COPY OF THE INJUNCTION PETITION I.A.NO.1/2025 FILED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT/PLAINTIFF IN O.S.NO.69/2025 Exhibit P3 THE COPY OF I.A.NO.3/2025 FILED BY THE PETITIONER IN O.S.NO.69/2025 Exhibit P4 THE COPY OF THE COUNTER AFFIDAVIT FILED BY THE PETITIONER IN I.A.NO.1/2025 IN O.S.NO.69/2025 Exhibit P5 THE COPY OF THE OBJECTION FILED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT Exhibit P6 THE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER IN O.P. (C).NO. 1451/2025 DATED 24.06.2025 Exhibit P7 THE TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER IN I.A.NO.3/2025 IN O.S.NO.69/2025 DATED 15.07.2025 Exhibit P8 THE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT REPORTED IN SHRIRAM CITY UNION FINANCE CORPORATION LIMITED VS RAMA MISHRA (2002 KHC 1475) Exhibit P9 TRUE COPY OF JUDGMENT REPORTED IN SANGHA ERECTORS PVT LTD VS LAXMI CRANES AND TRAILERS PVT LTD (2024 (1) KHC 262)