HC upholds eviction of lessees by port

The Kerala High Court has upheld the action of the Cochin Port Trust to take over its land from persons whose lease period has expired.

The court also allowed the port to allot the land to Malabar Cements for a project.

Disposing of a writ petition filed against the eviction order, the court also directed the port trust to rehabilitate the petitioners on the port trust’s vacant lands consistent with the land management policy.

A decision in this regard should be taken within a month after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners. Till then, the status quo should be maintained.

The court said the port trust required the land for its own use and therefore, the petitioners could not claim renewal in terms of the land management policy.

Counsel for the CPT submitted that the port had substantial vacant areas and the petitioners could be accommodated in the areas.