India

Kerala Revenue Department to Survey Only University Land, Excludes AKG Centre

By The Hindu Bureau

On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the Kerala Revenue Department began surveying land belonging to the University of Kerala (KU) in the state capital, following directions from the Kerala High Court. Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar told reporters that the survey was being carried out by Revenue and Survey officials under the High Court’s instructions, not on the Revenue Department’s own directives. A report detailing any increase or decrease in the university’s land, after comparison with KU’s records, will be submitted to the court by October 15. The department clarified that it was not measuring the land where the Communist Party of India (Marxist)’s former State headquarters, the AKG Centre (AKG Memorial Research Centre), is located. The minister explained that a notice had been sent to the CPI(M) State secretary as part of routine practice to inform parties sharing boundaries when a survey is conducted. Although the AKG Centre is adjacent to the university land being measured, only the university land is being surveyed per court directions. The minister did not respond to questions about alleged misuse of the university land. The court will issue directions based on the department’s report, as it is hearing a petition challenging the land assignment. The petition was filed by R.S. Sasikumar, chairperson of the Save University Campaign Committee and member of the University of Kerala Syndicate. Sasikumar had stated on Monday that, under the High Court’s directions, land under two survey numbers in the possession of the AKG Centre would also be measured. He argued that the alleged assignment was illegal, unconstitutional, and void.