1. In this appeal filed by the Travancore Devaswom Board under S.30 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923 a substantial question of law as to the liability of the Board under the above Act arises for consideration. The appeal arises out of an application for a compensation of Rs. 10,000/- on account of a fatal accident resulting in the death of one Mahendran who was the son of the applicant. The applicant alleged that his son Mahendran was engaged by the 1st and 2nd opposite parties before the Workmen's Compensation Commissioner for conducting 'Nerchavedi' in the Achencoil Temple under the management and administration of the Devaswom Board. While doing the work on 21-1-1981 the 'vedikutti' exploded as a consequence of which Mahendran died. The 1st opposite party died during the pendency of the application and opposite party Nos. 3 and 4 were impleaded as his legal representatives. The Devaswom Board was impleaded as the 5th opposite party, alleging that they are the principal employers and that the 1st opposite party was a contractor under the Board. The applicant further alleged that be is entitled to recover an amount of Rs. 10,000/- from the opposite parties as co