Kerala HC upholds State’s appeal against Order quashing Munambam inquiry Commission GO 

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Friday (October 10, 2025) allowed appeals filed by the State Government that challenged a single Bench Order of March that that quashed a Government Order appointing an inquiry commission to resolve the land dispute between the Waqf Board and a section of Munambam residents.

Stating that the matter was pending before the Waqf Tribunal, the single judge had allowed a plea by the Kerala Waqf Samrakshana Vedhi, that works to protect Waqf properties in the State and quashed the appointment of the C.N. Ramachandran Nair Commission.

Kerala Waqf Board property: A disputed deed and a dwelling place

In its appeal, the Government challenged the single judge’s Order and contended that it was empowered to consider means to settle the dispute that had subsequently developed into a public protest cum law-and-order issue, even if it was presumed that the land was Waqf land. It said that the inquiry commission had merely been entrusted with the task of collecting information and that it did not have the power to adjudicate on questions of title or dispute.

Moreover, the cause of action, if any, would arise only if the Government took a decision based on the commission’s recommendations, it further added.

The Division Bench had earlier this year permitted the commission to function after staying the single judge’s verdict, following which the Commission resumed its inquiry and submitted a report to the Government in the last week of May. The Government contended then that the petitioners had no ‘locus standi’ to approach the court, as they were not personally affected by the appointment of the commission.