Kerala High Court Refers St. Mary's Basilica Issue For Mediation

The Court has appointed Retired Justice T.R Ramachandran Nair as mediator in the dispute.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the order.

The Bench was hearing the petition filed by Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany who had approached the Court seeking immediate police intervention to remove alleged trespassers from St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica, Broadway, Ernakulam, citing continued obstruction of religious activities and denial of access to parishioners.

During the course of the hearing, both sides agreed to attempt an amicable settlement through mediation. Several names of mediators were suggested and both parties have consented to appoint retired Justice T.R. Ramachandran Nair, former Judge of the High Court, as the mediator to facilitate discussions between the parties.

Pending mediation, the Court recorded undertakings from both sides to maintain peace and order in the Church premises. The Court directed that during the pendency of the mediation, the petition or anyone acting under him shall conduct any type of holy kurbana.

“In no circumstance, the petitioner or anyone acting under him conducts any type of Holy Kurbana till the mediation is confirmed and without getting further orders from the Court in the Church or in the chapel. The petitioner shall also be entitled to perform holy karabana in the Church including the chapel, pending this mediation.” the Court ordered.

The Court has also directed that the petitioner shall keep the church open from 5: 30 PM till 8:00 PM everyday for all persons to attend the church for prayers.

The respondents undertook that they would vacate the Church premises with effect from March 4, 2026.

It was also directed that under no circumstances during the proceedings, the petitioner, or respondents, obstruct the entry of any person into the Church.

The matter is posted on 23 March for further consideration.

Case Title: Mar Joseph Pamplany v The State of Kerala and Ors.

Case No: WP(C) 2346/ 2026

Counsel for Petitioner: Tony George Kannanthanam, Thomas George, Ebee Antony, Ajith George Koola, Sivashankar Panicker