The Kerala State Waqf Board has registered the disputed 404 acres of land in Munambam on the central government’s Umeed Portal. The move has intensified the already sensitive land dispute, as the matter is still being heard before the Waqf Tribunal. The tribunal is currently examining whether the land can legally be classified as Waqf property.

The registration was carried out with the Waqf Board acting as the Mutawalli, which means the board has taken direct administrative control of the land. This development comes even as the ownership issue remains unresolved in court. The land had earlier been added to the Waqf Board’s Asset Register in 2019. However, local residents have consistently argued that they are the lawful owners of the land. Many of them say they purchased their plots from the Farook College Managing Committee over several decades and possess valid title deeds to support their claims.

The latest entry on the Umeed Portal has triggered strong reactions from residents and local groups involved in the protest against the Waqf Board’s claim. Joseph Benny, convener of the Munambam Land Protection Council, described the portal registration as an illegal activity designed to complicate the issue further.

The Umeed Portal registration process had an initial deadline of May 17 for adding details of Waqf properties. However, the deadline was later extended until mid-June, giving Waqf Boards more time to upload information related to properties under their control.

The legal battle over the Munambam land has witnessed several major developments in recent months. In October 2025, the Kerala High Court ruled that the Waqf Board’s 2019 declaration claiming the land as Waqf property was ultra vires and amounted to a land-grabbing tactic. The judgment was seen as a significant relief for the residents fighting the case.

However, the matter took another turn in December 2025 when the Supreme Court issued an interim stay on the Kerala High Court verdict. The apex court also directed that the status quo should be maintained until further orders. As a result, the dispute remains legally unresolved, with both sides continuing to defend their positions before the courts.

Residents of Munambam are now placing hope on the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. According to them, the amended law could strengthen their case because it removes the unilateral powers previously given to Waqf Boards to determine ownership claims on disputed properties. Many residents believe this change will ensure a fairer process in deciding ownership disputes related to Waqf land.

The issue has become one of the most closely watched property disputes in Kerala, with legal, political, and social implications. As the tribunal proceedings continue and the Supreme Court hearing remains pending, uncertainty over the ownership and administrative control of the Munambam land continues to affect hundreds of residents in the area.