Kerala HC directs RDO to reconsider land conversion application by Lulu in Ayyanthole

The Kerala High Court recently directed the Revenue Divisional Officer, Ayyanthole, to reconsider Lulu Hypermarket’s applications to remove the entries relating to its plots at Ayyanthole from the data bank and change their status from paddy land to commercial.

The Division Bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and Basant Balaji upheld a single judge’s decision quashing the RDO’s order allowing the land conversion. It observed that the officer had not sought a report from the agricultural officer before granting the applications as required under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Rules.

The Bench also set aside an order of the Thrissur Collector directing the company to restore the plots to the status of paddy land, noting that the Collector could make an order, if needed, at a later stage.