IAS lobby behind title-deed cancellation: Former Idukki MP

IDUKKI: Former Idukki MP Joice George has claimed that the title-deed cancellation of controversial Kottakkamboor land was the result of a conspiracy involving an young IAS lobby.


Addressing a press meet at Cheruthoni on Monday, he alleged that former Devikulam sub-collector Sriram Venkitaraman, who was the accused in the murder of journalist K M Basheer, began the process to cancel the title deed of the controversial land in 2016.

"The action by Devikulam sub-collector showed that some revenue officials are under the control of a lobby. In 2017, then Idukki collector had completed the appeal process of the cancellation of the title deed in the land. The recent action by the sub collector shows that the official has no idea of the law," George said.

"There are hundreds of title deeds in Kottakkamboor village, but the revenue officials selected only the thandaper number of me and my family to cancel title deeds. Thi selective targeting shows that there is a conspiracy involving a young IAS lobby," he said.

"The land never faced any legal issues and the village authorities have been collecting land tax for the past 18 years. My advocate had appeared before the revenue authorities for all the hearings and the title deed was cancelled without adhering to the proper rules," George said.

"The people are holding lands in Kottakkamboor village since 1950," he said.