The land deal involving the Syro Malabar Church requires Mar George Alencherry to stand trial, according to the HC

Cardinal Mar George Alencherry has suffered a setback in the land deal case involving the Syro Malabar Church in Kochi. On Thursday, the High Court in Chennai ruled that Alencherry must stand trial in the case. The order was issued by the court, which upheld the verdict of the district sessions court. Alencherry’s six petitions were also dismissed by the court.

Previously, the Thrikkakara magistrate court filed a case against Alencherry and others and summoned them to appear for the trial. Alencherry filed an appeal against this order in the Ernakulam Sessions Court. However, the appeal was dismissed by the court.

Both courts found prima facie evidence that Alencherry was involved in the illegal land deal. Despite the fact that eight cases were filed against him, Thrikkakara court only served summons in six of them.

Following this, the Cardinal petitioned the High Court for immediate intervention in order to vacate the summons and avoid the trial. Previously, the Income Tax Department issued a report that found irregularities in the church land deal.