Kochi: The Kerala High Court has observed that disputes regarding the Munambam land issue should be addressed in a civil court, and that interim protection can be granted to the residents of Munambam against eviction. The court made this oral observation while considering a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Act.

The court clarified that it is not within its purview to decide on the land dispute and directed the matter to be taken up with a civil court. It further noted that interim relief in the form of a stay could be granted to protect the residents of Munambam from eviction. These remarks were made during the consideration of a petition by local residents, who argued that the disputed land in Munambam was purchased by their ancestors from Farooq College authorities and demanded the cancellation of actions initiated under the Waqf Act.

The observations were made by a division bench, comprising Justices Amit Rawal and K V Jayachandran. However, the court has not issued any formal orders in this regard and limited its remarks to oral observations. The petitions will be reconsidered on Tuesday.