The Kerala High Court’s decision to vacate the stay on the distribution of title deeds in Idukki — under the Kerala Land Assignment Rules, 1964 — came as a major relief to both the state government and local farmers.
According to officials, the High Court had stayed the distribution of the title deed in the district on January 10, 2024. Recently, the state government filed an application for “immediate attention” and asked the court to reconsider. Based on this plea, the court on Monday reviewed the case, vacated the stay and allowed the government to issue the deeds as per the 1964 rules. The court ordered that title deeds be issued to farmers who owned the land before August 1, 1971, after strict verification of the land documents.
Rasak Chooravelil, president of the Idukki Land Freedom Movement (ILFM), which has been championing the case, termed the decision as a major victory. “Although we have not received the full details of the order or the specific conditions issued by the court, the decision to vacate the stay is a positive step for thousands of farmers who are eagerly awaiting action,” he said. “The Government must now take immediate action to ensure that all eligible farmers receive them.”
The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) Kerala, the farmers’ wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI), also welcomed the ordinance. Mathew Varghese, state vice-president of AIKS, said the decision proves that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government is working for the welfare of the farming community.
Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine said the government will now speed up the distribution process to ensure that no eligible farmer is left behind.
However, the opposition questioned the timing of the move. The Congress leader alleged that the government had not approached the Supreme Court for two years and only now, when the assembly elections are around the corner. “It is a political ploy to lure farmers to vote,” the leader claimed.
Published – 24 Feb 2026 21:01 IST
