Thiruvananthapuram’s political landscape faces renewed scrutiny as the Kerala High Court sets a two-week ultimatum for the state to file its counter-affidavit in a decades-old land dispute. At the heart of the matter is the 1977 handover of Kerala University property to build the AKG Center, now infamous as the former CPI(M) state headquarters.
Presided over by Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice VM Shyam Kumar, the bench heard arguments in a PIL lodged by ex-university official. The plea demands accountability for the land grant under AK Antony’s government, pointing to missing documentation and excess possession.
Government counsel struggled to produce the authorizing order from 1977, admitting it evades archives across multiple departments. The petitioner claims approval covered just 15 cents, but the site spans 55 cents, blending university holdings with public poramboke land.
‘We’ve given time before—this is it,’ the Chief Justice declared, underscoring the court’s impatience. The two-week grace period ends with a hearing in three weeks, pressuring authorities to unearth or explain the records.
Once buzzing with party activities, the AKG complex features offices for top CPI(M) brass and a grand hall. Its relocation to a swanky new structure last year amplified public and legal interest in the property’s origins.
As Kerala grapples with transparency in land dealings, this case could set precedents for similar claims involving educational and political institutions. The outcome may force revelations about how public assets transitioned into party hands, fueling broader conversations on governance.