KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday refused to book former Transport Minister Thomas Chandy in a case related to an alleged encroachment of paddy land in Alappuzha district.

In its order, the court directed the officials not to register a case against Chandy. It said that the documents available do not substantiate the allegations of land encroachment.

Dismissing the petitions filed by two individuals against the former Minister, the court observed that he (Chandy) did not encroach on the land intentionally. It asked the government to complete a survey of the said area in the next three months.

(However, the petitioners – Kainakari Gram Panchayat member Vinod and CPI leader Mukundan – said they would approach the Supreme Court.)

“After that Chandy and others should be given three months time to present their case. Only after that further action should be initiated,” it said.

Chandy was forced to resign on November 15 last year after Alappuzha Collector T.V. Anupama presented a report indicting him for encroaching Marthandam lake to lay road to his Lake Palace resort with funds offered by two parliamentarians belonging to a Left party and the Congress.