HC directs action against those illegally claiming Jamma land

Bangalore, Jan 11 (PTI): The Karnataka High Court todaydirected the state government to take action against thosewho had illegally claimed ownership of Jamma land in Kodagu.

Disposing off a Public Interest Litigation filed by formerState Women''s Commission Chairman and advocate PramilaNesargi, the division bench, comprising Justices V G Sabhahitand B Manohar also permitted the government to take actionagainst leaseholders who had not adhered to the lease term.

The petitioner alleged that former minister T John and hisfamily members had illegally taken ownership of the land,whichhad been given out to the lease holder by the then Britishgovernment for the sole purpose of cultivating cardamom.

The petitioner sought a direction from the court to cancelthe sale deed executed in 1996.

Of 13,776.80 acres leased out for cardamom, around 468.72acres was leased to the forefather of one Emmanuel Thomas fromwhose son T John had obtained the land in his favour.

A report submitted by then Chief Secretary following acourt directive had stated that vast areas of the land hadillegally changed hands with private parties.

Jamma lands were handed down by the British to localresidents in the 1900s for the sole purpose of cardamomcultivation, but of late they have increasingly fallen intoprivate hands.