Kerala High Court
A.K.Somasekharan Nair vs Travancore Devaswom Board on 18 June, 2025
Author: Anil K.Narendran
Bench: Anil K.Narendran
WP(C) NO. 3341 OF 2020 1 2025:KER:44838
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN
&
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALEE KRISHNA S.
WEDNESDAY, THE 18
TH DAY OF JUNE 2025 / 28TH JYAISHTA, 1947
WP(C) NO. 3341 OF 2020
PETITIONER:
A.K.SOMASEKHARAN NAIR,
AGED 75 YEARS,
S/O. KRISHNA PILLAI, POURNAMI, THALAYOLAPARAMBU P O,
KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.
BY ADVS.
SHRI.B.PRAMOD
SMT.NAMITHA JYOTHISH
RESPONDENTS:
1 TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD,
NANTHANCODE, KAWDIAR POST, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA,
695003, REP.BY ITS SECRETARY.
2 THE COMMISSIONER,
TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, NANTHANCODE, KAWDIAR POST,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA-695003.
3 THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, VAIKOM, VAIKOM, PIN-686141.
4 THE SUB GROUP OFFICER,
THIRUPURAM SUB GROUP, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD,
VAIKOM, PIN-686141.
5 THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE,
VIGILANCE AND SECURITY OFFICE, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM
BOARD, NANTHANCODE, KAWDIAR POST, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
KERALA-695003.
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6 THE TEMPLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE,
SREE KARTHIYAYANI TEMPLE, THALAYOLAPARAMBU,
REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY.
7 V.S. NARAYANAN NAIR,
VRIDAVANAM, THALAYOLAPARAMBU EAST,
THALAYOLAPARAMBU P O, KOTTAYAM-686605.
8 RENJITH P.,
USHAS, ELLITHONDU ROAD, THALAYOLAPARAMBU P O,
KOTTAYAM-686605.
9 MADHU G
GAURINANDANAM, (KIZHAKKEDATHU HOUSE),
THALAYOLAPARAMBU PO, KOTTAYAM-686605.
10 SUNIL KUMAR D,
DEVIPRASADAM, THALAYOLAPARAMBU EAST,
THALAYOLAPARAMBU P O, KOTTAYAM-686605.
11 T.G. GOPALAKRISHNA KURUP,
THERVAZHYIL HOUSE, THALAYOLAPARAMBU P O, KOTTAYAM-
686605.
12 S. NARAYANAN NAIR,
KUZHIKANDATHIL HOUSE, POOTHAPURAM,
THALAYOLAPARAMBU P O, KOTTAYAM-686605.
13 K.B. KUNJUMON,
KOCHUPURAKKAL HOUSE, POOTHAPURAM,
THALAYOLAPARAMBU P O, KOTTAYAM-686605.
14 GEETHA PRAHLATH,
ANUGRAH, THALAYOLAPARAMBU P O, KOTTAYAM-686605.
15 GOPALAKRISHNAN NAIR,
NANDANAM, ELLITHONDU ROAD, THALAYOLAPARAMBU P O,
KOTTAYAM-686605.
BY ADVS.
SRI.G.SANTHOSH KUMAR (P).
SRI.T.SANJAY
SHRI.SANTHOSH MATHEW (SR.)
SMT.A.SREEKALA (VAIKOM)
SRI.B.S.SWATHI KUMAR
SHRI.L.RAM MOHAN
SMT.ANITHA RAVINDRAN
SHRI.B.G.HARINDRANATH (SR.)
SHRI.SANIL KUMAR G.
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SRI.HARISANKAR N UNNI
SHRI.MIDHUN R.
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON
18.06.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
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JUDGMENT
Muralee Krishna, J.
This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution
of India by the petitioner who is a retired principal of Devaswom
Board College, Thalayolaparambu and a devotee of Sree
Karthiyayani Temple Thalayolaparambu, which is under the
management of Travancore Devaswom Board, seeking a writ of
certiorari to quash Ext.P13 notice dated 31.01.2020 published by
the Sub Group Officer, Thirupuram, about the General Body
Meeting of the registered devotees to be scheduled on 07.01.2020
for election of a new Temple Advisory Committee. The petitioner
has also sought for a writ of mandamus commanding 1st
respondent Travancore Devaswom Board and the 2nd respondent
Commissioner of Travancore Devaswom Board to debar
respondents 7 to 15 and other members of the Temple Advisory
Committees of Sree Karthiyayani Temple, Thalayolaparambu, who
were in office from 2012 to 2019 from becoming members of the
new Temple Advisory Committee to be elected; a writ of
mandamus commanding respondents 1 and 2 to get the audit of
the accounts of Temple Advisory Committees from 2012 to 2019
of Sree Karthiyayani Temple, Thalayolaparambu, and a writ of
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mandamus commanding respondent 1 and 2 to take necessary
steps to prosecute respondents 7 to 15 and the other members of
the Temple Advisory Committees for the period 2012 to 2019 as
well as for realisation of the amount covered by sealed coupons
collected by the respective Temple Advisory Committees of the
said period.
2. According to the petitioner, the Temple Advisory
Committees functioned since the year 2012 in Sree Karthiyayani
Temple, Thalayolaparambu, did not follow the mandatory
requirements in Ext.P1 Rules framed by the Travancore
Devaswom Board and also Ext.P2 circular issued by the Board.
The Temple Advisory Committees of this period did not subject the
accounts for audit and did not maintain the account in the joint
name of the Administration Officer/Sub Group Officer, the
Treasurer of the Temple Advisory Committee and its President as
directed in Ext.P1 Rules. Funds were collected without issuing
coupons sealed by the Board, and the amount spent by the
Committee did not reflect in the vouchers. Based on the complaint
bearing No.182 of 2015 submitted by the petitioner, the learned
Ombudsman for Travancore and Cochin Devaswom Board, by
Ext.P3 report dated 08.10.2015 in TDB Report No.141 of 2015,
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recommended audit of the accounts of the Temple Advisory
Committee in question by the Kerala State Audit Department.
Based on the said report, this Court vide Ext.P4 order dated
06.01.2016 in DBP No.141 of 2015 also directed audit of the
accounts without delay. This Court has also directed a vigilance
enquiry into the complaints of unauthorised collection of funds by
the Committee. In that complaint, the petitioner had focused on
the activities of the Temple Advisory Committee for the years
2015 and 2016 alone and in that circumstance, the learned
Ombudsman recommended audit of the accounts of that period
alone. The said direction was reiterated by this Court in the order
dated 09.04.2018 in DBP No.1 of 2017. The Vigilance Wing of
Travancore Devaswom Board conducted an enquiry, and the 4th
respondent/ the Sub Group Officer, Thirupuram Sub Group, filed
a report dated 10.11.2018, leading to the institution of DBP No.31
of 2019. The Vigilance Wing has inter alia recommended banning
of the members of the Temple Advisory Committee, who were in
office from 2012 to 2016, from becoming members of the Temple
Advisory Committee. The Joint Director, Audit, Travancore
Devaswom Board, vide Ext. P6 letter dated 17.04.2017 informed
the President and Secretary of the Temple Advisory Committee to
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submit the necessary accounts and supporting documents for
audit of the accounts after 2012. Since no action was taken by
respondents 1 and 2 in terms of Ext.P6 letter, the petitioner again
sent a complaint dated 30.09.2019 to the learned Ombudsman
seeking action in the matter. By Ext.P8 communication dated
04.12.2019, the learned Ombudsman informed the petitioner that
the matter has already been placed before this Court. Ext.P8
communication was accompanied by Ext.P9 order dated
23.11.2019 issued by the 1st respondent deciding to spare the
officers of the Board, who committed default in ensuring the audit
of accounts of Temple Advisory Committee, but directing the 2 nd
respondent to ban members of the Temple Advisory Committee,
who were in office from 2012 to 2016 from becoming members of
the committee for a period of 5 years. Ext.P9 also gave a direction
for the audit of the accounts of the Temple Advisory Committee,
which were in office from 2012 to 2016. The respondents 7 to 15
were the office bearers of the Temple Advisory Committee during
the years 2012 to 2019. As in the case of 2012 - 2016, audit of
the accounts of the Temple Advisory Committees of the years
2017 to 2019 are also not been audited since the respective
Committees refused to make available the relevant records.
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Therefore, the disqualification applicable to the members of the
Temple Advisory Committee for the years 2012 to 2016 is also
applicable to the members of the Temple Advisory Committee for
the years 2017 to 2019 also. Apart from that, respondents 7 to 15
are liable to be prosecuted for misappropriation of funds, cheating
and breach of trust. They are liable to repay the amounts covered
by the sealed coupons received from the Devaswom Board. The
Sub Group Officer, Tirupuram, has published Ext.P13 notice
regarding the General Body Meeting to be held on 07.01.2020 for
the constitution of a new Temple Advisory Committee. But the
members of the previous Temple Advisory Committee who are
disqualified will also be contesting the posts of members of the
new Temple Advisory Committee. Hence, the petitioner
approached this Court with the above writ petition.
3. On 06.02.2020, when this matter came up for
admission, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore
Devaswom Board took notice on behalf of respondents 1 to 5.
Notice by speed post was ordered against the remaining
respondents. The election of the new Temple Advisory Committee
for Sree Karthiyayani Temple, Thalayolaparambu, pursuant to
Ext.P13 was ordered to be deferred until further orders.
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4. The learned Standing Counsel for Travancore
Devaswom Board filed a statement dated 14.07.2020 on behalf of
Respondents 1 to 4. Paragraphs 4 to 8 of the statement read thus:
"4. It is submitted that the term of office of the Temple
Advisory Committee for Karthiyayani Devaswom coming
under the Thirupuram Sub Group was constituted vide Order
No.R.O.C.2939/18/NS.(2) dated 02/02/2018 issued by the
Devaswom Commissioner and the same had been expired as
on 02-02-2020. Hence actions had been initiated for the
election of members for a new advisory committee against
which the above Writ Petition has been filed.
5. It is submitted that there had been an enquiry based on
DBP No:31/2019 by the Vigilance pertaining to the illegal
collection of fund by the former advisory committee
conducted during the year 2012 to 2016. There had been an
order by the Devaswom Commissioner to audit the Income
and Expenditure through the office of the Assistant
Devaswom Accounts, Vaikom. In the said Devaswom,
coupons had been sealed for cash collection to the tune of
Rs.8,98,750/-for the conduct of festival for the year 2014
(1189 M.E.). It may be noted that the counter foils of the sold
out coupons, unsold coupons, receipt books, cash vouchers
etc., along with the income and expenditure statements in
similar context pertaining to the year 1190 ME 1191 M.E (the
amount over and above 10% than the previous year) had
been produced for audit purpose before the office of the
Assistant Devaswom Accounts, Vaikom. Apart from the
above, the records such as programme notice, Minutes
books, Stock, register of Cash receipt books, Receipts and
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Payment register, Auction Diary, Cheque / draft / money
order register, Bank pass books, Cheque books are required
for the finalization of auditing. Though there had been a
direction to produce the required documents for auditing, the
members of the erstwhile committee had not produced the
same for audit verification. Hence the audit of the accounts
could not be completed in a time bound manner.
6. It may be noted that the coupons affixed with seal for the
year 1190 ME for the tune of Rs.8,72,500/-had been
produced before the Kerala State Audit Department. But the
Auditors found it to be inconsistent and incomplete and hence
the auditing process couldn't be completed. The Sub Group
Officer had reported that the entire record available in the
office had been verified and the accounts statements for the
year 2012-13 had not been traced. All accounts details
pertaining to the activities under taken by the advisory
committee till date except the above are available for
auditing purpose. Even then the directions issued vide Order
No:FAO No.330/12/NS dated 01/08/2013 of the Finance and
Accounts Office to produce the complete records for audit had
not been compiled by the Advisory Committee Members.
7. Hence the Parties who had been the Temple Advisory
Committee members for the years 2012 to 2016 and involved
in the Writ Petition (C) referred to above, had been
disqualified for 5 years as per Order No:R.O.C 1277/15/N.S
dated 25/01/2020 issued by the Devaswom Commissioner
from contesting to Temple Advisory committee, apart from
legal actions initiated against them. The members belonging
to the Temple Advisory Committee has already approached
this Hon'ble Court seeking Anticipatory Bail by preferring B.A.
No:2137/2020, B.A. No:2207/2020 and B.A. No:2216/2020
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and the same is pending for consideration. The revised list of
Temple Advisory Committee had been prepared by excluding
the previous members noted for financial malpractices.
8. The annual festival of the said Devaswom was scheduled
to be conducted on 28/03/2020 to 06/04/2020. However due
to the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival could not be held. For
the conduct of the annual festivals a pivotal role had been
assigned to the temple advisory committees."
5. Respondents 7, 12, 13 and 15 filed a counter affidavit
dated 14.07.2020 opposing the prayers in the writ petition.
Paragraphs 3 to 9 of that counter affidavit read thus:
"3. This writ petition is filed by a busybody who wants to
disrupt the functioning of the Sree Karthiyayani Temple,
Thalayolaparambu. The petitioner has been trying to
interfere with the administration of the temple for quite some
time. He had unsuccessfully tried to become the president of
the temple advisory committee. He has approached various
authorities by making complaints against the temple advisory
committees since the year 2012. The petitioner claims to
have been working in Devaswom board college
Thalayolaparambu, he also claims to be a devotee of the
temple.
4. The 7th respondent was the president of the TAC for the
year 2014 & 2016. The 12th respondent was the secretary
during the period 2016 and 2017. The 13th respondent was
the President for the years 2017 to 2019. The 15th
respondent was the secretary of the above temple for the
years 2018 and 2019.
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5. As far as TAC for the years 2016 to 2019 is concerned, all
the income/expenditure account and coupon accounts were
submitted on time for verification by TDB officials. No
complaints were received from TDB in this regard. The first
respondents and its officials were fully satisfied with the
functioning of the committees for the above said period.
6. The Temple Advisory Committee has promptly submitted
the Income/expenditure and coupon accounts to the first
respondent and its officers very promptly. It is the bounden
duty of the first respondent and its officials official to make
necessary inquiries to clear any pending doubts regarding the
account submitted by TAC. The TAC's 2016-19 have promptly
submitted the accounts to first respondents. It seems that
the TAC's from 2012-2014 have not submitted the accounts
on time. When on 20.09.2015, the TAC headed by the 7th
respondent took over the charge of the TAC, he received only
one round seal from the predecessors.
7. During 2016-17, the annual temple festival and Trikarthika
pooja and Navaham were conducted duly accepting donation
from devotees giving receipts sealed by TDB. No donations
were accepted from any devotees without giving sealed
coupon of TDB. 'Annadanam" was conducted by the devotees
with the guidance of TAC as requested by the devotees. The
statement of coupons sealed, sold and balance coupons were
submitted to TDB, AC Vaikom through SGO Thirupuram in
the stipulated time of one month.
8. As stated in Exhibit P3, no committees were formed by
the TAC from 2016 to 2019. This was already intimated to AC
TDB Vaikom. It is humbly submitted that the
income/expenditure for the year 2016 to 2019 were
submitted on time. The coupons issued to devotees were
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sealed coupons by the 3rd respondent, TDB Vaikom. The
allegations by the petitioner are false and fabricated. TAC
formed for the years 2016-2019 are not responsible for the
irregularities as mentioned by the petitioner.
9. In Para 4 of the Writ Petition, the TCA mentioned are prior
to 2016 so the respondents herein are not responsible for the
irregularities narrated by the petitioners. In para 5 of the Writ
Petition, it is submitted that respondents 7 to 15 were office
bearers from 2012 to 2019. It is very clear from Exhibit P-12
that only one member was there in the TAC from 2012 to
2015 for the all periods. Therefore, the persons who were not
the members from 2012 to 2015 are not liable to be debarred
as per Exhibit P7. The respondents herein were not informed
by the Devaswom Board or by the busybody petitioner about
the issuance of Ext. P. 7 order. Only after we received the
copy of the Writ Petition we became aware about the same.
Steps are being initiated for filing appropriate Writ Petition
challenging the same as it was issued without following the
principles of natural justice."
6. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the
learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board and
the learned counsel appearing for the party respondents.
7. 'Deva' means God and 'swom' means ownership in
Sanskrit and the term 'Devaswom' denotes the property of God in
common parlance. [see: Prayar Gopalakrishnan and another
v. State of Kerala and others - 2018 (1) KHC 536].
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8. In M.V. Ramasubbiar v. Manicka Narasimachari
[(1979) 2 SCC 65], in the context of Sections 49, 51 and 52 of
the Trusts Act, 1882, the Apex Court explained the nature of the
fiduciary position of the trustee and his duties and obligations. It
is the duty of the trustees of the property to be faithful to the Trust
and execute any document with reasonable diligence in the
manner of an ordinary prudent man of business would conduct his
own affairs. A trustee could not, therefore, occasion any loss to
the Trust and it is his duty to sell the property if at all that was
necessary, to the best advantage. Paragraph 4 of that decision
reads thus;
"4. There is some controversy on the question whether
defendant 1 made an outright purchase of the suit
property for and on behalf of the trust for Rs. 21,500
on April 19, 1959, or whether he intended to purchase
it for himself and then decided to pass it on to the trust,
for defendants have led their evidence to show that the
property was allowed to be sold for Rs.21,500, which
was less than its market value, as it was meant for use
by the trust and that Defendant 1 was not acting
honestly when he palmed off the property to his son
soon after by the aforesaid sale deed Ext.B13 dated
July 14, 1960. The fact, however, remains that
Defendant 1 was the trustee of the property, and it was
his duty to be faithful to the trust and to execute it with
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reasonable diligence in the manner an ordinary prudent
man of business would conduct his own affairs. He
could not therefore occasion any loss to the trust and it
was his duty to sell the property, if at all that was
necessary, to best advantage. It has in fact been well
recognised as an inflexible rule that a person in a
fiduciary position like a trustee is not entitled to make
a profit for himself or a member of his family. It can
also not be gainsaid that he is not allowed to put himself
in any such position in which a conflict may arise
between his duty and personal interest, and so the
control of the trustee's discretionary power prescribed
by Section 49 of the Act and the prohibition contained
in Section 51 that the trustee may not use or deal with
the trust property for his own profit or for any other
purpose unconnected with the trust, and the equally
important prohibition in Section 52 that the trustee may
not, directly or indirectly, buy the trust property on his
own account or as an agent for a third person, cast a
heavy responsibility upon him in the matter of
discharge of his duties as the trustee. It does not
require much argument to proceed to the inevitable
further conclusion that the Rule prescribed by the
aforesaid sections of the Act cannot be evaded by
making a sale in the name of the trustee's partner or
son, for that would, in fact and substance, indirectly
benefit the trustee. Where therefore a trustee makes
the sale of a property belonging to the trust, without
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any compelling reason, in favour of his son, without
obtaining the permission of the court concerned, it is
the duty of the court, in which the sale is challenged,
to examine whether the trustee has acted reasonably
and in good faith or whether he has committed a breach
of the trust by benefiting himself from the transaction
in an indirect manner. The sale in question has
therefore to be viewed with suspicion and the High
Court committed an error of law in ignoring this
important aspect of the law although it had a direct
bearing on the controversy before it."
(underline supplied)
9. In A.A. Gopalakrishnan v. Cochin Devaswom Board
[(2007) 7 SCC 482] a Three-Judge Bench of the Apex Court held
that the properties of deities, temples and Devaswom Boards,
require to be protected and safeguarded by their
trustees/archakas/shebaits/employees. Instances are many
where persons entrusted with the duty of managing and
safeguarding the properties of temples, deities and Devaswom
Boards have usurped and misappropriated such properties by
setting up false claims of ownership or tenancy, or adverse
possession. This is possible only with the passive or active
collusion of the authorities concerned. Such acts of 'fence eating
the crops' should be dealt with sternly. The Government,
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members or trustees of boards/trusts, and devotees should be
vigilant to prevent any such usurpation or encroachment. It is also
the duty of courts to protect and safeguard the properties of
religious and charitable institutions from wrongful claims or
misappropriation.
10. In Travancore Devaswom Board v. Mohanan Nair
[(2013) 3 KLT 132] a Division Bench of this Court noticed that
in A.A. Gopalakrishnan [(2007) 7 SCC 482] a Three-Judge
Bench of the Apex Court emphasised that it is the duty of the
courts to protect and safeguard the interest and properties of the
religious and charitable institutions. The Division Bench further
noticed that the relevant principles under the Hindu law will show
that the deity is always treated similar to that of a minor and there
are some points of similarity between a minor and a Hindu idol.
The High Court is the guardian of the deity and apart from the
revisional jurisdiction under Section 103 of the Kerala Land
Reforms Act, 1963, the High Court has inherent jurisdiction and
the doctrine of parens patriae will also apply in exercising the
jurisdiction.
11. Travancore - Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act,
1950, enacted by the State Legislature, makes provision for the
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administration, supervision and control of incorporated and
unincorporated Devaswoms and of other Hindu Religious
Endowments and Funds. As per the provisions under Section 3 of
the Act, the administration of incorporated and unincorporated
Devaswoms shall vest in the Travancore Devaswom Board. As per
Section 15A of the Act, it shall be the duty of the Board to perform
the following functions, namely, (i) to see that the regular
traditional rites and ceremonies according to the practice
prevalent in the religious institutions are performed promptly; (ii)
to monitor whether the administrative officials and employees and
also the employees connected with religious rites are functioning
properly; (iii) to ensure proper maintenance and upliftment of the
Hindu religious institutions; (iv) to establish and maintain proper
facilities in the temples for the devotees. As per Section 31 of the
Act, subject to the provisions of Part I and the rules made
thereunder, the Board shall manage the properties and affairs of
the Devaswoms, both incorporated, and unincorporated as
heretofore, and arrange for the conduct of the daily worship and
ceremonies and of the festivals in every temple according to its
usage.
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12. Section 31A of the Act deals with the formation of the
Temple Advisory Committees. As per sub-section (1) of Section
31A of the Act, a Committee for each temple in the name 'Temple
Advisory Committee' (name of the temple) may be constituted in
order to ensure the participation of Hindu devotees. As per sub-
section (2) of Section 31A, the Temple Advisory Committee
constituted under sub-section (1) may be approved by the Board.
As per sub-section (3) of Section 31A, the composition of an
Advisory Committee under sub-section (1) shall be in such
manner as may be prescribed by the rules made by the Board,
not inconsistent with any practice prevailing, if any.
13. In exercise of the powers under sub-section (3) of
Section 31A of the Act, the Travancore Devaswom Board framed
Rules (bye - laws) for the formation of Temple Advisory
Committees in temples under its management, which was
approved by this Court in the order dated 03.11.2011 in DBA
No.153 of 2009.
14. Clause (2) of the Rules, which deals with objectives of
the Temple Advisory Committees, reads thus;
"2. ഉദ്ദേശ്യ ലക്ഷ്യങ്ങള്
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിദ്ദേയ ും, വിശ്വാസികള ടെയ ും പ ദ്ദ ാഗരിക്ക ദ്ദവണ്ടി ത്പവര്ത്ത്തിക്ക ക,
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രാചാ ങ്ങള ും പൂജാത്കമങ്ങള ും ശ്ാസതത്ര വിധിത്പകാ ും നെത്ത ന്നരിനത
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സഹായക മായ നിലപാെ കള് സവീക ിക്ക ക. ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിടേ ത്പശ്സ്തിക്ക ും
അഭിവൃദ്ധിക്ക ും, പ ദ്ദ ാഗരിക്ക ും ദ്ദവണ്ടി പദ്ധരികള് ആവിഷത്ക്ക ിക്ക കയ ും
ദ്ദ ാര്ത്ഡില് സമര്ത്പിക്ക കയ ും ദ്ദ ാര്ത്ഡിടേ അന വാദദ്ദത്താെ കൂെി
ത്പാദ്ദയാഗികമാക്ക കയ ും ടചയ്യ ക. ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര ഉത്സവും, ചിറപത, ആട്ടവിദ്ദശ്ഷും,
മാസവിദ്ദശ്ഷും മ രലായ വിദ്ദശ്ഷാല് അെിയന്തി ങ്ങള് ഡിപാര്ത്ട്ട ടമേ ത
ഉദ്ദദയാഗസ്ഥ ടെ അന മരി വാങ്ങി ഭുംഗിയായ ും ചിട്ടയായ ും നെത്ത ക, ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര
ദര്ത്ശ്നത്തിടനത്ത ന്ന ഭക്ത ജനങ്ങള്ക്കത ദ്ദവണ്ട സൗക യങ്ങള് ഒ ക്ക ന്നരിനത
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര അധികാ ികടള സഹായിക്ക ക, മന ഷയനന്മയതക്കത ഉരക ന്നര ത്തില്
സനാരനധര്ത്മങ്ങള് ത്പച ിപിക്ക ക. ധയാനദ്ദയാഗങ്ങള്, നാമജപും, വിദ്ദശ്ഷാല്
പൂജകള്, ഭക്തിത്പഭാഷണങ്ങള് ര െങ്ങിയവ ഡിപാര്ത്ട്ട ടമേ ത അന മരിദ്ദയാടെ
സുംഘെിപിക്ക ക, ഭക്തജനങ്ങള്ക്കത അന്നദാനും ര െങ്ങിയ ദ്ദസവനും നെത്ത കയ ും
അരിനത ത്പദ്ദചാദനും നല്ക കയ ും ടചയ്യ ക, ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രവ ും പ ിസ വ ും ശ് ചിയായി
സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ന്നരിനത ദ്ദവണ്ട നെപെികള് സവീക ിക്ക ക, മഹാന്മാ ായ
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രവിശ്വാസികദ്ദളയ ും ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രകലാകാ ന്മാട യ ും ആദ ിക്ക ക,
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രസും ന്ധമായ ത്പവര്ത്ത്തനങ്ങള ും, ഉത്സവാദി അെിയന്തി ങ്ങള ും
സ ഗമമാക്ക ന്നരിനത ഡിപാര്ത്ട്ട ടമേ ത അന മരിദ്ദയാടെ മാത്രും സുംഭാവനകള്,
ഇഷ്ടദാനും എന്നിവ ഭക്തജനങ്ങളില് നിന്ന ും സമാഹ ിക്ക ക."
(underline supplied)
15. As per Clause (2) of the Rules, one of the objectives of
the Temple Advisory Committee is to formulate schemes for the
betterment and development of the Temple, submit the same
before the Board and execute it with the approval of the Board.
The Advisory Committee shall collect contributions or donations
from the devotees for the smooth functioning of the temple
activities and festivals only with the permission of the
Department.
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16. Clause (9) of the Rules deals with office bearers and
their duties. Clause (9.1) deals with President, Clause (9.2) deals
with Vice President, Clause (9.3.) deals with Secretary and Clause
(9.4) deals with Treasurer. Clause (9) of the Rules reads thus;
"9. ഭാ വാഹികള ും, ച മരലയ ും
9.1. ത്പസിഡനതറത
ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ ദ്ദയാഗങ്ങളില് അദ്ധയക്ഷ്ും വഹിക്ക ക,
ദ്ദയാഗനെപെികള് ദ്ദ ഖടപെ ത്തിയ മിനിട്സില് ഒപത വച്ചത അുംഗീകാ ും
നല്ക ക, സമിരിയ ടെ ദ്ദപ ില് ത്പസിഡനതറ ും ത്െഷററ ും കൂട്ടായി
ഏടരങ്കില ും ഒ ദ്ദദശ്സാല്കൃര/ടഷഡയൂള്ഡത ാങ്കില് അക്കൗണ്ടത
ര റക്ക ക, ദ്ദദവസവും ദ്ദ ാര്ത്ഡിനതടറ നിര്ത്ദ്ദേശ്ങ്ങള് അന സ ിച്ചത സമിരി
ത്പവര്ത്ത്തിക്ക ന്ന എന്നത ഉറപ വ ത്ത ക, സമിരിയ ടെ ദ്ദനരൃരവത്തില ള്ള
പണപി ിവത സും ന്ധിച്ച ദ്ദമല്ദ്ദനാട്ടും വഹിക്ക ക, ദ്ദ ാര്ത്ഡത
അുംഗീക ിക്ക ന്ന കാ യങ്ങള്ക്ക മാത്രും നിയമാന സൃരും ഫണ്ടത
ടചലവാക്ക ന്ന ടവന്നത ഉറപ വ ത്ത ക, പണപി ിവത കഴിഞ്ഞാല െൻ ര ക
നിയമാന സയരും ദ്ദജായിനതറത അക്കൗണ്ടില് നിദ്ദക്ഷ്പിക്ക ന്ന ടവന്നത
ഉറപ വ ത്ത ക, ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രഉന്നമനത്തിന ഭക്തജന സൗക യാര്ത്ഥും പദ്ധരികള്
ആവിഷതക്ക ിച്ചത ദ്ദ ാര്ത്ഡിനതടറ അന മരിദ്ദയാടെ നെപാക്ക ക. എല്ാും
അുംഗങ്ങള ടെയ ും വിശ്വാസവ ും സഹക ണവ ും കൂട്ടായ്മ യ ും
ഉറപാക്കി അച്ചെക്കദ്ദത്താടെ ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരി ത്പവര്ത്ത്തിക്ക ന്ന ടവന്നത
ഉറപ വ ത്ത ക.
9.2. വവസത ത്പസിഡനതറത
ദ്ദയാഗങ്ങള് കൂെ ദ്ദപാള് ത്പസിഡനതറിനതടറ അഭാവത്തില് ദ്ദയാഗത്തിനത
അദ്ധയക്ഷ്ും വഹിക്ക ക, ദ്ദയാഗ നെപെികള് നിയത്ന്തിക്ക ക, ദ്ദയാഗത്തിനതടറ
മിനിട്സത ഒപത വച്ചത അുംഗീക ിക്ക ക. ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരി ത്പവര്ത്ത്തനങ്ങളില്
ത്പസിഡനതറിടന സഹായിക്ക ക.
9.3. ടസകട്ടറി
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ വദനുംദിന ത്പവര്ത്ത്തനങ്ങള് നെത്ത ക,
വ വ കള്ക്കത സീരത ടകാെ ക്ക ക, സമിരിയ ടെ അുംഗീകാ ത്തിനത
വിദ്ദധയമായി ചിലവ കള് ടചയ്യ ക, ചിലവ കള്ക്കത വൗച്ചറ കള് എഴ രി
സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ക, വ വത ചിലവത കണക്ക കള് എഴ രി സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ക,
സമിരിയ ടെ ദ്ദപ ില ള്ള ാങ്കത അക്കൗണ്ടത, ടചക്ക ക്കത, മറ്റത
റിക്കാര്ത്ഡ കള് മ രലായവ സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ക. ദ്ദയാഗരീ മാനങ്ങള് മിനിട്സില്
ദ്ദ ഖടപെ ത്തി ത്പസിഡനതറിനതടറ വകടയാപത വാങ്ങി സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ക.
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സമിരിയ ടെ അുംഗീകാ ദ്ദത്താടെ ദ്ദ ഖകള്, നിര്ത്ദ്ദദശ്ങ്ങള്,
അറിയിപ കള്, അദ്ദപക്ഷ്കള് എന്നിവ ദ്ദദവസവും അധികൃരര്ത് മ പാടക
സമര്ത്പിക്ക ക. സാപത്തിക സമാഹ ണവ ും മറ്റ ും നെത്ത ന്നരിനത
ഡിപാര്ത്ട്ട ടമനതറിനതടറ അന മരി വാങ്ങിച്ചത ആവശ്യമായ കൂപൺ
രയ്യാറാക്കി അസിസ്റ്റനതറത ദ്ദദവസവും കമീഷണറ ടെ സീല്വച്ചത
സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക കയ ും അരത നിയമാന സൃരും ഉപദ്ദയാഗിക്ക ന്ന എന്നത
ഉറപ വ ത്ത കയ ും ടചയ്യ ക, പണപി ിവ കള ടെയ ും
വ വ ടചലവ കള ടെയ ും വാര്ത്ഷിക കണക്ക കള് ആഡിറ്റത നെത്തി എല്ാ
വര്ത്ഷവ ും ഏത്പില് മാസും 30-ാാാും രീയരിയതക്കത മ പായി ദ്ദ ാര്ത്ഡത
അധികൃര ടെ മ പാടക ഹാജ ാക്ക ക, സമിരിയ ടെ റിക്കാര്ത്ഡ കള്
സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ക, സമിരി നിര്ത്ദ്ദേശ്ിക്ക ന്നര ും, ദ്ദദവസവും ദ്ദ ാര്ത്ഡത
നിശ്ചയിക്ക ന്നര മായ ദ്ദയാഗങ്ങളില് സമിരിടയ ത്പരിനിധീക ിക്ക ക,
ത്പസിഡനതറിനതടറ നിര്ത്ദ്ദേശ്ാന സ ണും സമിരി ദ്ദയാഗങ്ങള് വിളിച്ചത കൂട്ട ക.
9.4. ത്െഷറര്ത്
സമിരിയ ടെ ദ്ദപ ില് ദ്ദജായിനതറത അക്കൗണ്ടത ര െങ്ങ ക, നിശ്ചിര
ആവശ്യങ്ങള്ക്കായി സമാഹ ിക്ക ന്ന പണും അപദ്ദപാള് ാങ്കത
അക്കൗണ്ടില് നിദ്ദക്ഷ്പിക്ക ന്ന ടവന്നത ഉറപ വ ത്ത ക.
വ വ ടചലവ കള്ക്കത വൗച്ചറ കള് സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ന്ന ടവന്ന ും, കണക്ക കള്
കൃരയമായി ദ്ദ ഖടപെ ത്തി വയതക്ക ന്ന ടവന്ന ും ഉപദ്ദയാഗിച്ച
സീര കള ടെ കൗണ്ടര്ത് ദ്ദഫായില കള ും ഉപദ്ദയാഗിക്കാത്ത സീര കള ും
ത്പദ്ദരയകും സൂക്ഷ്ിക്ക ന്ന ടവന്ന ും ഉറപ വ ത്ത ക. ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ
അുംഗീകാ ദ്ദത്താെ കൂെിയ ും ത്പസിഡനതറത, ടസത്കട്ടറി എന്നിവ ടെ
അറിദ്ദവാെത കൂെിയ മാണത വ വത ടചലവ കള് നെത്ത ന്നടരന്നത ഉറപ
വ ത്ത ക, അെിയന്തി ഘട്ടങ്ങളില് ഉപദ്ദയാഗിക്ക ന്നരിനത സമിരിയ ടെ
രീ മാനത്തിനത വിദ്ദധയമായി ആയി ും ൂപയില് കവിയാത്ത രക
വകവശ്ും വയതക്ക ക." (underline supplied)
17. As per Clause (9) of the Rules, one of the duties of the
President, as provided in Clause (9.1), is to formulate projects for
the betterment of the temple and for the convenience of the
devotees and implement the same with the approval of the Board.
The President has to supervise the collection of funds at the
initiative of the Advisory Committee and he has to ensure that the
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functioning of the Committee is in accordance with the directions
issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board. As per Clause (9.3),
the Secretary of the Committee has to get the approval of the
Department for the collection of funds. He has to print coupons
and keep them in safe custody after obtaining the seal of the
Assistant Commissioner. He has to ensure that such coupons are
used only as per the permission granted by the Board. The
Secretary has to cause the accounts relating to the collection of
funds, income and expenditure audited which shall be produced
before the authorities in the Board before 30th April of every year.
As per Clause (9.4) of the Rules, the Treasurer has to ensure that
proper accounts are maintained for the income and expenditure
and that the income and expenditure of the Advisory Committee
is with the approval of the Committee and with the knowledge of
the President and the Secretary.
18. Clause (18) of the Rules, which deals with prohibitions,
reads thus;
"18.നിദ്ദ ാധനും
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിദ്ദയാ, അുംഗങ്ങദ്ദളാ ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്ര സന്ദര്ത്ശ്ക ില്
നിന്ന ും ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിന ള്ളില് വച്ചത യാടരാ പണപി ിവ കള ും നെത്താൻ
പാെില്. ദ്ദക്ഷ്ദ്ദത്രാപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ ച മരലയില്
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിന ള്ളില് നെക്ക ന്ന ചെങ്ങ കള ടെ ദ്ദവദികളില് പണും
സമാഹ ിക്ക ന്നരിനത കാണിക്കവഞ്ചികദ്ദളാ, പാത്രങ്ങദ്ദളാ ടവയതക്കാൻ
പാെില്ാത്തരാണത. ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രവികസന കാ യങ്ങള്ക്കത ദ്ദവണ്ടി
WP(C) NO. 3341 OF 2020 24 2025:KER:44838
ഡിപാര്ത്ട്ട ടമനതടറ അന വാദദ്ദത്താെ കൂെി കൂപണ കള് അച്ചെിക്ക ദ്ദപാള്
നിശ്ചിരര ക ദ്ദ ഖടപെ ത്തിയ കൂപണ കള് മാത്രദ്ദമ അച്ചെിക്കാൻ
പാെ ള്ളൂ. അസിസ്റ്റനതറത ദ്ദദവസവും കമീഷണറ ടെ മ ത്ദ പരിപിക്കാത്ത
സീര കള് യാടരാ കാ ണവശ്ാല ും പണപി ിവിനത ഉപദ്ദയാഗിക്കാൻ
പാെില്. ഇരിനത വി ദ്ധമായ ത്പവര്ത്ത്തനങ്ങള് ത്ശ്ദ്ധയില്ടപട്ടാല്
സാപത്തിക ത്കമദ്ദക്കൊയി പ ിഗണിച്ചത നിലവില ള്ള നിയമങ്ങള്
അന സ ിച്ചത കര്ത്ശ്ന നെപെികള് സവീക ിക്കാന ള്ള അധികാ ും
ദ്ദ ാര്ത്ഡിനത ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരാണത. ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയിടല
ഭാ വാഹിരവത്തില ും അുംഗരവത്തില ും ഉള്ടപെ ന്ന ഒ വയക്തിക്കത
ര െര്ത്ച്ചയായി ണ്ട കമിറ്റിയ ടെ കാലാവധിയില് കൂെ രല് സമിരിയില്
ര െ ാൻ അര്ത്ഹര ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരല്. രി വിരാുംകൂര്ത് ദ്ദദവസവും
ദ്ദ ാര്ത്ഡിനതടറ ഭ ണാധികാ ടത്തയ ും നിയത്ന്തണാധികാ ടത്തയ ും
സമിരിദ്ദക്കാ, സമിരിയിടല അുംഗങ്ങള്ദ്ദക്കാ ദ്ദചാദയും ടചയ്യാൻ യാടരാ
അവകാശ്വ ും ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരല്. ദ്ദദവസവും ദ്ദ ാര്ത്ഡിനതടറ
ഭ ണത്തില ള്ള ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രത്തിടല ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയില് അുംഗമായിട്ട ള്ള
ഒ ാള്ക്കത അദ്ദരകാലയളവില് ദ്ദ ാര്ത്ഡത ഭ ണത്തില ള്ള മറ്റത
ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രങ്ങളിദ്ദലദ്ദയാ ഏടരങ്കില ും സവകാ യ ദ്ദക്ഷ്ത്രങ്ങളിദ്ദലദ്ദയാ
ഉപദ്ദദശ്കസമിരിയിദ്ദലാ മറ്റ ഭ ണസമിരിയിദ്ദലാ അുംഗമായി ിക്കാൻ
അര്ത്ഹര ഉണ്ടായി ിക്ക ന്നരല്." (underline supplied)
19. Clause (18) of the Rules prohibits the Temple Advisory
Committee from collecting funds in connection with any
ceremonies in the temple by placing 'kanikkavanchi' or 'hundies'.
When coupons are printed for development activities in the
temple, with the approval of the Department, only coupons for
the specified amount shall be printed. No receipts without the seal
of the Assistant Commissioner shall be used for collecting funds.
20. In Sunil Kumar C. and others v. Travancore
Devaswom Board and others, [2022 (4) KHC 663] a Division
Bench of this Court in which one among us (Anil K. Narendran, J.)
WP(C) NO. 3341 OF 2020 25 2025:KER:44838
was a party noticed that the provisions under Clause (18) of the
Rules for the formation of Temple Advisory Committees in temples
under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board
provide sufficient safeguards to prevent any illegal collection of
funds by the Temple Advisory Committee for development
activities in a temple.
21. By Ext.P9 order of the Travancore Devaswom Board,
the 2nd respondent was directed to ban the members of the
Temple Advisory Committee, who were in office from 2012 to
2016, from becoming members of the Temple Advisory Committee
for a period of 5 years. From the pleadings and materials on
record, we notice that the proper accounts were not submitted by
the Temple Advisory Committee of that period for audit. Some
anomalies are noted by the Board also in the functioning of the
Temple Advisory Committees of the relevant period, as evident
from the statement filed by respondents 1 to 4. However, the
Board has already taken initiative and issued necessary directions
to the Temple Advisory Committees concerned, for submission of
the accounts.
In such circumstance, this writ petition is disposed of
directing the 2nd respondent to convene a General Body Meeting
WP(C) NO. 3341 OF 2020 26 2025:KER:44838
of the registered devotees to conduct the election to the Temple
Advisory Committee of Sree Karthiyayani Temple,
Thalayolaparambu, as per the requirements of Ext.P1 Rules within
a period of two months. The restriction imposed against the
members of the Temple Advisory Committees of the period 2012
to 2016 in Ext.P9 order shall continue in such election to be
conducted for the selection of members to the new Temple
Advisory Committee. The Travancore Devaswom Board shall take
sincere and earnest efforts to audit the accounts of the Temple
Advisory Committees of the relevant period, by taking follow-up
action in pursuance of the notices and directions already issued by
it.
All pending interlocutory applications stand closed.
Sd/-
ANIL K. NARENDRAN, JUDGE
Sd/-
MURALEE KRISHNA S., JUDGE
DSV/-
WP(C) NO. 3341 OF 2020 27 2025:KER:44838
APPENDIX OF WP(C) 3341/2020
PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE RULES FRAMED BY THE TDB
EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR DATED 01.08.2013.
EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE TDB REPORT NO.141/2015 OF
THE OMBUDSMAN FOR TRAVANCORE AND COCHIN
DEVASWOM BOARDS.
EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 06.01.2016 IN
DBP NO.1/2015 OF THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA.
EXHIBIT P5 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 09.04.2018 IN
DBP NO.1/2017 OF THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA.
EXHIBIT P6 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 17.04.2017
ISSUED BY THE JOINT DIRECTOR AUDIT TDB
EXHIBIT P7 TRUE COPY OF THE ENQUIRY REPORT DATED
10.11.2018.
EXHIBIT P8 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 4.12.2019
ISSUED BY THE OMBUDSMAN
EXHIBIT P9 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 23.11.2019
ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT.
EXHIBIT P10 TRUE COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT DATED 26.01.2019
FILED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT IN DBP
NO.31/2019.
EXHIBIT P11 TRUE COPY OF THE AFFIDAVIT DATED 20.11.2020
FILED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT IN DBP
NO.31/2019.
EXHIBIT P12 TRUE COPY OF THE FESTIVAL NOTICES OF THE YEARS
2012 TO 2019.
EXHIBIT P13 TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 31.01.2020
ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT.
RESPONDENT EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT R 14 A TRUE COPY OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING DATED
20/5/2018.
EXHIBIT R14 B TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT DATED 23/5/2018
ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT.
EXHIBIT R14 C TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 30/6/2018
ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT.
EXHIBIT R14 D TRUE COPY OF THE RESIGNATION LETTER DATED
6/10/2018 OF THE 14TH RESPONDENT.
