K.S.Radhakrishnan, J.

Rights, authority, jurisdiction and powers of the Cochin Devaswom Board in the matter of administration and management of the incorporated and unincorporated Devaswoms under the Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act (Act XV of 1950), and also the scope of the bye-laws framed by the Board for the constitution of the Kshetra Kshema Samithies are the issues which have come up for consideration before us in these cases.

2. Writ Petitions and applications are being filed by various Kshetra Kshema Samithies and devotees under Art.226 of the Constitution of India questioning the authority of the Board in the matter of administration and control of various temples vis-a-vis the Kshetra Kshema Samithies constituted under the bye-laws framed by the Board. Disputes and differences often arise out of the interpretation and application of various provisions of the Act and the bye-laws, giving rise to litigations before this Court and the Civil Courts and it is highly necessary to set right those issues to maintain peace and harmony between the devotees and for the smooth and effective administration of the temples under the Board.

3. W.P.(C) 34886/03