Kochi: The dispute between Jacobite and Orthodox factions has been sent to the Kerala High Court by the Supreme court for a relook into its earlier ruling.
A division bench of the Supreme Court set aside the earlier order of the Kerala High Court which had allowed Malankara Orthodox Church to have control over six disputed churches, three in Ernakulam and three in Palakkad.
The Apex Court bench also directed the High Court to take a fresh look into the contempt petitions.
While hearing petitions challenging the HC order, the Supreme Court observed that it has not expressed anything on merit and left it to the High Court to take its own decision.
On December 3, 2024, the Supreme Court had directed the Jacobite faction to hand over the administration of the six churches to the Orthodox faction.
The Apex Court also asked the Orthodox faction to allow Jacobite members to use schools and burial grounds on church compounds. However, the Orthodox faction objected to it.
On December 17, the SC ordered status quo on management and administration of the churches as they existed on the date.
Church dispute back to HC
