A Supreme Court bench comprising justices Arun Mishra and M R Shah yesterday (2 July) came down heavily on the Kerala government over the pending implementation of its order going back 2017 in a dispute between two Christian sects, reports Business Standard.

In its judgment, the court had directed that the control of around 1,100 parishes and their churches belonging to the Malankara Church be handed over to the Orthodox faction. However, since then, followers of the Jacobite Church have been preventing the Orthodox faction from taking over the said churches.

The apex court expressed its dissatisfaction with the lack of action on part of the state government to give effect to its directions.

"Tell your chief secretary that if he intends to go against the Supreme Court's order, we will call everyone here. Is Kerala above rule of law? You are making a mockery of the justice delivery system," the bench told the counsel representing the Kerala government.

St Marys Orthodox Church and two other petitioners have entered a plea before the Supreme Court for the order to be implemented and for the police to provide protection for conducting services in the concerned churches.