Mysuru: The move by Karnataka Forest Department, reclaiming 151.03 acres forest land at Kopattimalai in Kodagu, has hit a roadblock as the High Court has granted a stay. The stay has been brought by Daisy Jacob, the wife of former Kerala DGP Jacob Thomas who claims ownership of the land.

Daisy held the property for over 27 years at Kopatti village near Bhagamandala. Forest officials have claimed that the disputed property is part of the Pathighat Reserve Forest. There are documents to prove it, they say.

It may be recalled here that on Aug. 8, a team of Forest officials led by Madikeri Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Surya Sen visited the forest land along with 30 Forest Department officials and over 20 personnel from the Rapid Action Force to conduct an eviction drive. SOM had published a report “Forest dept. evicts ex-Kerala DGP’s wife from Kodagu reserve forest” following the raid.

Now it turns out that the eviction has not taken place as Daisy had got the stay from the High Court. In her petition to the HC, Daisy said that she had purchased the said land on Survey number 1/1, in 1990 but the Forest Department claimed  ownership of the land and asked her to vacate it.

Though the Forest Department personnel reached the spot on Aug. 8 to reclaim the land and evict her, Daisy Jacob had approached the court and brought a stay, forcing the authorities to return without completing the exercise. Without any alternative, the officials conducted a property survey and mahazar and returned.