Church In Kerala Mired In Another Land Scam: Petitioner Alleges 12 Acres Sold For Less-Than-Market-Value

After being mired in the controversial land deal in Ernakulam - Angamaly archdiocese which doomed the Syro Malabar Church in Kerala, the church is grappling under another land deal controversy, Deccan Chronicle reports.

Polachan Puthuppara, president of the Kerala Catholic Association for Justice, has filed a petition in the Eranakulam Munisf court questioning the archdiocese's decision to sell 12 acres of land at Thrikkakara for Rs. 60 crore. The price was fixed at Rs. 5 lakhs per cent, which, according to the petitioner, is much less than the market value.

Based on the petition, the court has sent a notice to Fr. Jacob Manathodath, apostolic administrator, and the prospective buyer entrepreneur Kochouseph Chittilappally.

The church can garner more than Rs.180 crore if the land is sold as small plots, the petitioner claimed while addressing a press conference.

"As per Canon law, consent of curia finance council and Presbyterian council is required for sale of Church assets. The councils have to discuss the matter and the price of land. There are no Canon committees in existence at present. Hence, the decision to sell the land is against Canon laws," he said.