KOCHI : The High Court on Thursday exempted Ernakulam District Collector from personal appearance in the Kothamangalam Church dispute, where two warring factions – the Marthoma and Orthodox – are clamouring for ownership of the church and its wealth.
The court ruling follows the Collectors plea asking to be excused from court appearance in the case. HC in its interim order had directed Collector to takeover the church, failing which he had to appear before it on Thursday. No taking over has been made so far.
The govt submitted petition seeking Stay on the takeover. The court will hear the plea along with those submitted by the Jacobite faction seeking review of the order and Contempt petition filed by the Orthodox Sabha for failing to implement court order.
Amid the faceoff, the High Court insisted that the church takeover should be carried out.
