HC stays Govt move to repossess Hindustan Lever land

Kochi, Jun 27 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today stayed the State Government's move to repossess 53.69 acres of land of Hindustan Unilever Limited at Tatapuram near here.

Single Bench Judge Justice Thottathil Radhakrishnan stayed the showcause issued by Ernakulam District Collector asking why the lease agreement of Hindustan Unilever should not be cancelled.

The notice was issued on the contention that the land, which was leased out by the erstwhile Cochin rulers in 1947, was for industrial purposes but Hindustan Unilever violated the conditions by constructing buildings and selling them to third parties.

The comapny had challenged the notice on the basis that the notice was a 'malafide and colourable exercise of power.' UNI XR MA RL UCS1955