The Kerala [Images] Cabinet on Wednesday ordered a judicial probe by a sitting high court judge into the land deal allegedly involving former Public Works Department Minister T U Kuruvilla's family members, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said.

The government would request the Kerala high court  chief  justice to make available the services of a sitting judge for the purpose, the chief minister  told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

The cabinet decision comes in the wake of ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist -led Left Democratic Front recommending such a probe after the controversy over the land deal.

The charge against Kuruvila's family pertains to irregularities in the purchase of about 50 acres by his sons at Rajakumari village near Munnar in Idukki district. The purchase was allegedly part of a deal with a Non-Resident Indian businessman who was interested in setting up a resort in the tourism region.

The deal, however, fell through with businessman charging that he was cheated in the whole affair and the minister was also aware of the matter from the beginning. Kuruvila resigned from the ministry on September 3.