Thiruvananthapuram: A new petition filed in the Kerala High Court claims that the former headquarters of the ruling CPM’s state committee, AKG Centre for Research and Studies in Thiruvananthapuram, stands on land allegedly encroached by the party. The petition was submitted by R S Sasikumar, former Joint Registrar of Kerala University and chairman, Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC).

The petition states that the land was originally granted to the university by the Maharaja of Travancore and cannot legally be handed over for use as the office of a political party. It further alleges that the party is currently in possession of the land without proper documentation.

The petitioner has demanded the eviction of the Centre, alleging that the CPM acquired the land by using its influence as a major political party and through “muscle power”.

Speaking to Mathrubhumi on Tuesday, Shashikumar said that official records indicate only 15 cents of land were sanctioned for the AKG Centre in 1977 by former Chief Minister AK Antony, with the remainder being government-owned (puramboke) land. 

The petition alleges that of the total 55 cents, 40 cents were unlawfully occupied by the CPM from Kerala University.

The revenue department had clarified in August last year that no land tax was received from the party due to the unavailability of land allotment documents, as per a Times of India report.

Although allegations concerning the land have been raised in the past, the filing of a formal petition seeking eviction has now emerged as a fresh challenge for the ruling party ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.