Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed that Lulu Group’s application to remove its nearly four acres of land in Ayyanthole, Thrissur, from the paddy land data bank must be reconsidered. The Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) has been asked to decide based on the latest reports from the Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre and the Agricultural Officer. CPI leader TN Mukundan, who has opposed Lulu’s move, will also be heard during the review.

The court instructed that the decision should be taken within four months. It clarified that any decision on altering land use must strictly follow the reports.

Earlier, the High Court had cancelled the RDO’s order permitting reclassification of Lulu Group’s land, noting the removal from the databank was not done in line with due process. Satellite images, Google Earth data, and the Village Officer’s mahazar showed the land remained a paddy field until 2022.

The court has also temporarily stayed further proceedings in the Collector’s notice to Lulu Group and directed a temporary refund of the land conversion fee.

Arguments and political angle

Lulu Group argued the land had lost its agricultural character before the 2008 Paddy Land and Wetland Act and should be considered residential. The matter attracted political attention after Lulu Group chairman MA Yusuff Ali alleged obstruction by a political party. However, TN Mukundan clarified his intervention was personal and not linked to his party.