Kerala High Court stays razing of dam linked to PV Anwar

Malappuram: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday stayed the demolition order issued by the Malappuram district collector against a check dam allegedly built flouting rules at Cheenkannipali on Kakkadampoyil hills which has a connection with P.V. Anwar MLA. The order was on a writ petition filed by Abdul Latheef C.K., father in law of Anwar, seeking the interim rule to stay all further proceeding on the demolition order. The stay will remain till the disposal of the writ petition. 

“We sought a proper hearing from us before going ahead with demolition. Our part should also be heard,” the ruling legislator said. According to the petitioner who owned eight acres of land in survey number two in Vettilappara village in Ernad Taluk, the construction was wrongly described as a Thadayana (check dam). “The dam was a pond from time immemorial, and over the years it filled with soil and mud due to the peculiar terrain of the property. In 2015, it was decided to revive the pond to facilitate enjoyment,” the petitioner said. The collector had on Dec. 11 ordered to demolish it within two weeks. The order came after a report by the Perinthalmanna RDO K. Ajeesh describing it as illegal.