Kottayam: In a relief to the State Government, the Kerala High Court has lifted the stay on the Right to Property case filed at the Pala Sub Court in connection with the Sabarimala Airport Project. As a result, the proceedings on the civil case filed by the Kerala Government to establish the ownership of the Cheruvally Estate will recommence on July 4. 

Now, the State Government is likely to file an appeal to lift another stay of the High Court prevailing over the acquisition procedures of the estate.
Last year, in response to a petition filed by the Believers Church, Kerala High Court stayed the proceedings of the case filed by the Revenue Department at the Pala Sub Court for establishing the ownership of the Cheruvally Estate. 

Amidst all the legal tussles, the government had gone ahead with its plan of setting up an airport at Sabarimala. However, Ayana Charitable Trust, which comes under the Believers Church, had approached the High Court seeking action against the government.

The trust accused the State Government of violating rules. It said that the government conducted the environmental impact studies as part of project initiation using its own agency, which is against the rules. The trust wanted an independent organisation to be entrusted with the responsibility. 

In addition to this, the trust also pointed out that its name was not mentioned in the government order pertaining to the estate takeover.
Taking the concerns of the trust into consideration, the High Court had issued a stay order last month. 

However, the State Government has decided to go ahead with project works amidst the legal tussles. In March, the responsibility of preparing a detailed project report was given to an agency called ‘Stoop’. The officials have asked the project consultant, Louis Berger, to hand over reports to Stoop for executing the project.