The Revenue Department has filed a case against Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan for allegedly encroaching 50 cent of government land near his Kapitan Resort at Suryanelli in Chinnakanal In Kerala’s Idukki district.
The Idukki Collector has taken steps to reclaim the land based on a report from Tehsildar of Udumbanchola, which identified the encroachment.
Earlier, the Vigilance had found that Mathew Kuzhalnadan encroached on 50 cent of ‘poramboke’ (government) land at Chinnakanal and built a compound wall there.
The vigilance investigation revealed that the land occupied by Mathew Kuzhalnad’s resort in Chinnakanal exceeds the designated area by 50 cent.
Mathew Kuzhalnadan asserted that he had not encroached upon any public land in Chinnakanal. Kuzhalnadan has asked how the Revenue department allowed the registration of the plot , if it was a case of surplus land.
Kuzhalnadan, who vehemently criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the monthly payment allegations against his daughter Veena Vijayan, landed in the controversy after the CPI-M filed a case against him with the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).
The complaint filed by CPI-M Ernakulam district Secretary CN Mohanan alleged that Kuzhalnadan had undervalued his property to evade stamp duty. He also sought a probe into Kuzhalnadan’s source of income.