Kerala High Court
Pastor Saji K vs State Of Kerala on 23 September, 2020
Author: A.Muhamed Mustaque
Bench: A.Muhamed Mustaque
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE
WEDNESDAY, THE 23RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2020 / 1ST ASWINA, 1942
WP(C).No.9162 OF 2019(U)
PETITIONERS:
1 PASTOR SAJI K., IPC BATHEL CHURCH,ANAPPARA,
PULPALLY,WAYANAD DISTRICT.
2 PASTOR SANOJ.B, INTERNATIONAL FULL GOSPEL
ASSEMBLY,
KENICHIRA,WAYANAD DISTRICT.
3 PASTOR JOY VARGHESE, FILADELFIA FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
OF INDIA,PULPALLY,WAYANAD DISTRICT.
4 PASTOR SIMON.K.C.,GOSPEL IN ACTION FELLOWSHIP,
KOLARATTUKUNNU,PULPALLY, WAYANAD DISTRICT.
5 PASTOR VINOD VARGESE, IPC SHALEM CHURCH,KOILERY,
WAYANAD DISTRICT.
6 PASTOR REJI.N.P, CHURCH OF GOD IN
MALABAR,THANNITHERUVU,PULPALLY,
WAYANAD DISTRICT.
7 BROTHER BABY.P.S, ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
CHURCH,MANALVAYAL.P.O,IRULAM, PULPALLY,.WAYANAD
DISTRICT.
8 BROTHER DOMINC JOSEPH, CHURCH AT MANANTHAVADY,
WAYANAD DISTRICT.
9 PASTOR K.G.SASI, GOOD SHEPPERD GOSPEL MINISTRIES
INDIA TRUST,CHETTTAPPALAM,PULPALLY,
WAYANAD DISTRICT.
10 PASTOR.M.SAJITH, ASSEMBLIESOF GOD,PULPALLY,
WAYANAD DISTRICT.
WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019
..2..
11 REV.FR.K.M.ELDHOSE, BELIEVERS EASTERN CHURCH
MALABAR DISOCES,VARATHOOR,PANAMARAM,
WAYANAD DISTRICT.
12 PASTER LUKOSE, SUVARTHA CENTRE,PULPALLY,
WAYANAD DISTRICT.
13 PASTOR ANEESH PETER, UNITED PENTHACOSTAL CHURCH
IN INDIA,SASIMALA.P.O,VETTIKKAKAVALA,
PULPALLY,WAYANAD DISTRICT.
BY ADVS.
DR.K.P.SATHEESAN (SR.)
SRI.P.MOHANDAS (ERNAKULAM)
SRI.S.VIBHEESHANAN
SRI.K.SUDHINKUMAR
SRI.S.K.ADHITHYAN
SRI.MUHAMMED IBRAHIM ABDUL SAMAD
SRI.SABU PULLAN
RESPONDENTS:
1 STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE PRICIPAL
SECRETARY,LOCAL SELF GOVERMENT DEPARTMENT,
GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-
695001.
2 THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, CIVIL
STATION,KALPETTA,WAYANAD-673121.
3 PULPALLY GRAMA PANCHAYAT,
REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY,
PULPALLY.P.O,WAYANAD-673579.
4 THE SECRETARY, PULPALLY GRAMA
PANCHAYAT,PULPALLY.P.O,WAYANAD-673579.
R1-2 BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER
R3-4 BY ADV. SRI.MANOJ RAMASWAMY
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON
23.09.2020, ALONG WITH WP(C).20658/2019(F), THE COURT ON THE
SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019
..3..
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE
WEDNESDAY, THE 23RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2020 / 1ST ASWINA, 1942
WP(C).No.20658 OF 2019(F)
PETITIONERS:
1 SANAL PETER, AGED 30 YEARS, S/O.PETER,
MOOLEPARAMBIL, KURICHIPATTA, BHOODANAM COLONY,
PULPALLY P.O., WAYANAD- 673579.
2 BAIJU KRISHNAN, AGED 40 YEARS, S/O.KRISHNAN,
PLAKATUKUNNEL, KURICHIPATTA, BHOODANAM COLONY,
PULPALLY P.O., WAYANAD- 673579.
BY ADVS.
SRI.SHYAM PADMAN
SRI.C.M.ANDREWS
SRI.P.T.MOHANKUMAR
SMT.BOBY M.SEKHAR
KUM.LAYA MARY JOSEPH
SMT.IRENE PARAMEL
RESPONDENTS:
1 DISTRICT COLLECTOR, COLLECTORATE WAYANAD, NORTH
KALPETTA P.O., WAYANAD- 673 122.
2 DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER, MANANTHAVADY, WAYANAD-
670645.
3 PULPALLY GRAMA PANCHAYAT, REPRESENTED BY THE
SECRETARY, PULPALLY P.O., WAYANAD-673579.
4 SECRETARY, PULPALLY GRAMA PANCHAYAT, PULPALLY
P.O., WAYANAD- 673579.
WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019
..4..
5 REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, REVENUE DIVISION
OFFICE, MALABAR HILL HIGHWAY, MANANTHAVADY P.O.,
WAYANAD- 670645.
6 TAHSILDAR, TALUK OFFICE, SULTHAN BATHERY,
WAYANAD- 673592.
7 VILLAGE OFFICER, PULPALLY VILLAGE, SULTHAN
BATHERY TALUK, MANANTHAVADY P.O., WAYANAD-
673579.
8 SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, DISTRICT POLICE OFFICE,
KALPETTA, WAYANAD- 673122.
9 SUB INSPECTOR, PULPALLY POLICE STATION, PULPALLY,
MULLENKOLLY, PULPALLY, WAYANAD- 673579.
10 VARGHESE POTHAN, SUVARTHA CENTRE TRUST,
MALLAPPILLY, PATHANAMTHITTA- 689584.
11 PASTOR SAJI.K., I.P.C.BETHEL CHURCH, ANAPARA,
PULPALLY, WAYANAD- 673579.
12 OUSEPH, GOOD SHEPHERD GOSPAL MINISTRIES INDIA
TRUST, CHETTAPPALAM P.O., KAPPISET, WAYANAD-
673579.
13 PASTOR B.C.JOHN, TRANS INDIA MINISTRIES,
KADIYANGAD P.O., CALICUT- 673525.
14 P.M.PILI, EVERYONE CRUSADE SABHA, PADINJARATHARA,
POZHUTHANA, WAYANAD- 673575.
15 PASTOR REJI V.P., CHURCH OF GOD, PULPALLY P.O.,
WAYANAD- 673579.
16 BABY P.S., ASSEMBLEES OF GOD, MANALVAYAL P.O.,
IRULAM, WAYANAD-673579.
17 PASTOR SIMON, GOSPEL IN ACTION FELLOWSHIP INDIA,
SANTHI BHAVAN, KOLARATTUKUNNU, VELIYAMBAM P.O.,
WAYANAD-673579.
18 LIBEESH E.GEORGE, BELIEVERS EASTERN CHURCH,
IRITTI P.O., KANNUR-670703.
WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019
..5..
19 JUBI JOSEPH, THE CHURCH MINISTRIES, RANNI P.O,
PATHANAMTHITTA- 689672.
20 BIJOY ISAC.K., KURAVANKUDIYIL VEEDU, VEMOM P.O.,
CHETTAPPALAM, MANANTHAVADI, WAYANAD- 670645.
21 JOSE MANGUDI, PULPALLY BROTHERIN CHURCH,
BHOOTHANAM COLONY, WAYANAD-679334.
22 VINOD VARGHESE, K.P.C.SALEM, KOILERI, PAYYAMPALLI
P.O., MANANTHAVADI, WAYANAD-670645.
23 PASTOR SAJITH.M, ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, PULPALLY
CHURCH, PULPALLY P.O., WAYANAD- 673579.
24 CHAIRMAN, INDIA UNITED PENTHAKOSE SABHA, SASIMALA
P.O., VETTIKKAKAVALA, WAYANAD-673579.
25 PASTOR SANOJ.B., INTERNATIONAL FULL GOSPEL
ASSEMBLY, KANNICHIRA, WAYANAD- 673596.
26 DOMINIC JOSEPH, CHURCH AT MANANTHAVADI, MYSORE
ROAD, MANANTHAVADI, WAYANAD-670645.
27 PASTOR JOY VARGHESE, PHILADELPHIA FELLOWSHIP
CHURCH OF INDIA, PULPALLY, WAYANAD- 673579.
28 JYOTHIRGAMAYA CHARITABLE TRUST,
SURABHIKAVALA, PULPALLY, WAYANAD- 673579.
29 VALSALAM, GOSPEL HOME, PULPALLY P.O., WAYANAD-
673579.
30 BENNY THOMAS, PUNNAMATATHIL HOUSE, CHERUKADU
POST, KOZHIKODE- 673527.
31 INDIA UNITED PENTECOST CHURCH, REPRESENTED BY
K.THOMAS, KARUVATTUMURI, PERINGANAD VILLAGE,
ADOOR TALUK, PATHANAMTHITTA- 691551.
32 GOOD SHEPHERD GOSPEL MINISTRIES INDIA TRUST,
REPRESENTED BY ITS DIRECTOR PASTOR DR.BABU
NARENDRAN, PARAPPULLI HOUSE, MASINAGUDI VILLAGE,
WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019
..6..
33 GLOBAL MISSION NATIONAL BOARD,
REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT PASTOR P.M.BABY
PEPPATHI, PEERUMEDU TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT-
685531.
34 BELIEVERS CHURCH IN INDIA-GOSPEL FOR ASIA,
REPRESENTED BY DR.K.P.YOHANNAN, S/O.PUNNOOS,
KAPPILARIL HOUSE, PADINJATTUMMURIYIL,
MANNANTHODU, NIRANAM VILLAGE, THIRUVALLA TALUK,
PATHANAMTHITTA- 689101.
35 GOSPEL IN ACTION FELLOWSHIP INDIA,
REPERSENTED BY ALIYAS PANAYIL, S/O.JOSEPH,
PANAYIL HOUSE, MALAMURI, RAMAMANGALAM VILLAGE,
KUNNATHUNADU TALUK, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT- 686663.
36 INDIAN PENTACOSTAL CHURCH,
REPRESENTED BY BABU ABRAHAM, S/O.ABRAHAM,
MULLANKOLLI, PULPALLI AMSOM DESOM, RESIDING AT
VELIKKAKATH HOUSE, NELLIKODU AMSOM, KOVOOR DESOM,
KOZHIKODE DISTRICT- 673017.
37 JYOTHIRGAMAYA CHARITABLE TRUST,
REPRESENTED BY P.S.GEORGE, S/O.SIMON,
PUTHENVEETIL, SOUTH KONDOZHI, THALAPPILLY TALUK,
THRISSUR DISTRICT- 679106.
38 THE CHURCH MINISTRIES TRUST,
REPRESENTED BY JUBY JOSEPH EDAVANADIYIL, RANNI
P.O., MUNDUPUZHA, PATHANAMTHITTA- 689672.
39 CHURCH AT MANANDHAVADY,
REPRESENTED BY M.J.RICHARD, S/O.JOSE,
MURIKKUMTHARAYAIL HOUSE, KATTIKULAM P.O.,
THRISSILERY AMSOM DESOM, MANANTHAVADY.
40 JAMES JOHN CHERUVILETH,
S/O.JOHN, P.O.THAMARASSERY, PULLANJIMEDU, RAROTH
AMSOM DESOM, KATTIPARA PANCHAYAT, KOZHIKODE-
673573.
41 TRANS INDIA MINISTRIES,
REPRESENTED BY REV.DR.XAVIER, SHALOM(H),
P.O.KADIYANGAD, KOZHIKODE- 673525.
WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019
..7..
42 THOTTAHIL T.M.GEORGE,
MEMBER, STEWARDS ASSOCIATION IN INDIA (KERALA
CHAPTER), P.O.BEENACHI, SULTHAN BATHERY, WAYANAD-
673592.
43 INDIAN PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD,
REPRESENTED BY PASTOR SHALU VARGHESE, MALAYIL
HOUSE, VAZHARMANGALAM P.O., CHENGANOOR TALUK,
ALAPUZHA- 689125.
44 INTERNATIONAL FULL GOSPEL CHURCH,
REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY MUTHUMARATHIL JOY
M.S., S/O.SAMUEL, IDAMAN P.O., UDAYAGIRIKKARA,
KOLLAM- 691307.
45 BABU JOSHUA, PRATHANA KOODARAM, NAIKUTTY P.O.,
PULIMARAM, KUPPADI AMSOM, DESOM, SULTHAN BATHERY,
WAYANAD- 673592.
46 EMPEROR IMMANUEL CHURCH (ZION), REPRESENTED BY
BIJU PHILIP, S/O.PHILIPOSE, KOONAMPARAYIL HOUSE,
MURIYAD VILLAGE, MUKUNDAPURAM TALUK, THRISSUR-
680683.
47 SUVARTHA CENTRE TRUST, REPRESENTED BY T.V.POTHAN,
S/O.T.P.VARGHESE, BETHEL THAIMURIYIL HOUSE,
P.O.MALLAPPILLY WEST, MALLAPPILLY TALUK,
MALLAPPILLY VILLAGE, PATHANAMTHITTA- 689585.
48 P.V.VARGHESE, S/O.VARGHESE, SECRETARY, STEWARDS
ASSOCIATION IN INDIA (KERALA CHAPTER) THIRUVALLA
P.O., THIRUVALLA TALUK, PATHANAMTHITTA- 689101.
49 S.N.D.P.UNION, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT,
PULPALLY-THANNITHERUVU-KAPPISET RD, PULPALLY,
WAYANAD- 673579.
R10-12, R15-17, R20-32, R35-37, R40, R43-44, R46,
R49 BY ADV. DR.K.P.SATHEESAN (SR.)
R10-12, R15-17, R20-32, R35-37, R40, R43-44, R46,
R49 BY ADV. SRI.P.MOHANDAS (ERNAKULAM)
R10-12, R15-17, R20-32, R35-37, R40, R43-44, R46,
R49 BY ADV. SRI.S.VIBHEESHANAN
R10-12, R15-17, R20-32, R35-37, R40, R43-44, R46,
R49 BY ADV. SRI.K.SUDHINKUMAR
WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019
..8..
R10-12, R15-17, R20-32, R35-37, R40, R43-44, R46,
R49 BY ADV. SRI.S.K.ADHITHYAN
R10-12, R15-17, R20-32, R35-37, R40, R43-44, R46,
R49 BY ADV. SRI.SABU PULLAN
R10-12, R15-17, R20-32, R35-37, R40, R43-44, R46,
R49 BY ADV. SRI.MATHEW SUNNY
R18 BY ADV. SRI.C.S.AJITH PRAKASH
R18 BY ADV. SRI.T.K.DEVARAJAN
R18 BY ADV. SMT.T.N.SREEKALA
R18 BY ADV. SRI.FRANKLIN ARACKAL
R18 BY ADV. SRI.M.B.SOORI
R18 BY ADV. KUM.NEETHU SOMAN
S GOPINATHAN SR GP
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON
23.09.2020, ALONG WITH WP(C).9162/2019(U), THE COURT ON THE
SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019
..9..
JUDGMENT
[ WP(C).9162/2019, WP(C).20658/2019 ] Dated this the 23rd day of September 2020 These writ petitions are pertaining to the use of the land as burial ground by the petitioners in W.P.(C)No.9162/2019. Admittedly, the petitioners in W.P.(C)No.9162/2019 do not have a license under the Kerala Panchayat Raj (Burial and Burning Grounds) Rules, 1998. They approached this Court when a stop memo was issued by the Pulpally Grama Panchayat.
2. W.P.(C)No.20658/2019 was filed by the persons who are aggrieved by the use of land by the petitioners in W.P.(C)No.9162/2019 as a burial ground without any license. They alleged that in spite of stop memo, the land is being used as a burial ground.
3. It appears that the application has been submitted on 15.02.2019 before the Grama Panchayat. The application has been WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019 ..10..
forwarded to the District Collector. In the light of fact that the application is now pending before the District Collector, it is appropriate to direct the District Collector to take a decision, after hearing the petitioners in both the writ petition as well as the local authority and also other objectors.
4. The District Collector shall take a decision within a period of two months. However, it is made clear that the petitioners in W.P.(C)No.9162/2019 shall not use it as a burial ground till they are allowed to do so by the competent authority. If there is any urgency involved, it is open for the petitioners in W.P.(C)No. 9162/2019 to move the District Collector for an appropriate interim reliefs.
These writ petitions are disposed of as above.
Sd/-
A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE JUDGE PR WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019 ..11..
APPENDIX OF WP(C) 9162/2019 PETITIONERS EXHIBITS:
EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FILED BY THE FIRST PETITIONER BEFORE THE 4TH RESPONDENT DATED 15.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE RECEIPT ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT PANCHAYAT DATED 15.02.2019 EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE FIRST PETITIONER NO.HI-2027/2019 DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT GIVEN BY THE HEALTH INSPECTOR, PAKKOM DATED 7.6.2019 EXHIBIT P5 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER SENT BY THE MEDICAL OFFICER, PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRE, PAKKOM TO THE DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER, WAYANAD DATED 7.6.2019 EXHIBIT P6 TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT FORWARDED BY THE DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER, WAYANAD TO THE 2ND RESPONDENT DATED 6.8.2019 EXHIBIT P7 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER GIVEN BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT TO THE PRESIDENT, KURICHIPPATTA SAMASANA SAMRAKSHANA SAMITHI, PULAPPLY DATED 1.2.2020 RESPONDENTS EXHIBITS:
ANNEXURE R4 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER VIDE NO.H1- 9513/19 DATED 08.02.2019 ISSUED FROM THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, WAYANAD.
WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019 ..12..
ANNEXURE R4 B TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER VIDE NO.H1- 3655/19 DATED 13.03.2019.
EXHIBIT R4(C) TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT NO.77/2019 FILED BEFORE THE HON'BLE LOK-AYUKTHA EXHIBIT R2 A A TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT OF THE DISTRICT POLICE CHIEF DATED
08.02.2019.
EXHIBIT R2 B A TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT OF THE SUB COLLECTOR DATED 04.05.2019. EXHIBIT R2 C A TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY, PULPALLY GRAMA PANCHAYATH DATED 21.03.2019.
EXHIBIT R2 D A TRUE COPY OF THE STATMENT FILED BY THE TAHSILDAR BEFORE THE LOKAYUKTHA . EXHIBIT R2 E A TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE TALUK SURVEYOR TO TAHSILDAR (LR), BATHERY DATED 11.06.2019.
EXHIBIT R2 F A TRUE COPY OF THE SITE INSPECTION REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE HUZUR SHERISTEDAR DATED 20.06.2019. EXHIBIT R2 G A TRUE COPY OF THE LOCATION SKETCH SUBMITTED BY THE VILLAGE OFFICER, PULPALLY DATED 22.07.2019.
WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019 ..13..
APPENDIX OF WP(C) 20658/2019 PETITIONERS EXHIBITS:
EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT DATED 27.02.2019 SUBMITTED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 9TH RESPONDENT.
EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 A TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 B TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 C TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 D TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 E TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 F TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 G TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 H TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 I TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 J TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019 ..14..
EXHIBIT P2 K TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 L TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 M TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 N TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 O TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 P TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 Q TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 R TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 S TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P2 T TRUE COPY OF THE STOP MEMO DATED 27.02.2019.
EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT OF MALAYALA MANORAMA DAILY NEWSPAPER DATED 29.06.2019.
EXHIBIT P3 A TRUE COPY OF THE MADHYAMAM DAILY NEWSPAPER DATED 29.06.2019. EXHIBIT P3 B TRUE COPY OF THE DESHABHIMANI DAILY NEWSPAPER DATED 29.06.2019. WP(C)Nos.9162/2019 & 20658/2019 ..15..
EXHIBIT P3 C TRUE COPY OF THE MATHRUBHOOMI DAILY NEWSPAPER DATED 29.06.2019.