Sub-collector Renu Raj’s parting shot, cancels 4 'Raveendran' title deeds

Thodupuzha: Former Devikulam sub-collector Dr Renu Raj had cancelled four title deeds (pattayam) that were fabricated to encroach upon government land in Munnar before she vacated her post.

The four title deeds were issued in 1999 by the then Devikulam tahsildar M I Raveedran and later came to be known as Raveendran pattayam.

The title deeds were cancelled based on a probe that was initiated as per the High Court's instructions. Dr Renu Raj issued instructions to the Devikulam tahsildar to take over the 2.5 acres of encroached land and cancel the thandeper.

The Kerala government had removed Renu Raj from the post of Devikulam sub-collector last week. Renu Raj issued the order for cancelling the title deeds on September 24, her last day as the sub-collector.

The former sub-collector had found that Chinnakannal native Mariyadas had encroached upon government land that was part of the 500 acres included in the Devikulam KDH Survey 912. Mariyadas and relatives had procured 15 title deeds using forged documents.

This was part of the land brought from Kanan Devan Company for Munnar town planning and building houses.

Mariyadas had reportedly forged fake title deeds in the name of his relatives to encroach upon the land of P M Mathew, who had been a permanent resident since 1955.

The government had evicted P M Mathew and family from the land over a government project. However, Mariyadas encroached on the land and forged fake title deeds in his name and that of his relatives.

The kin of PM Mathew had moved the High Court in 2014, seeking action against this. Based on a complaint filed by Munnar native Binu Pappachan in 2018, the Devikulam sub-collector was tasked with checking the title deeds.