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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
ANIL K.NARENDRAN, MURALEE KRISHNA S., JJ
Cochin Devaswom Board Represented By Its Secretary, Thrissur – Appellant
Versus
Senior Deputy Director – Respondent
ORDER :
(Anil K. Narendran, J.)
This DBP is registered based on CDB Report No.73 of 2018 of the learned Ombudsman in Petition No.16 of 2018 filed by the Cochin Devaswom Board seeking permission to execute the renovation work of Pazhayannur Bhagavathy Temple, which is a temple under its management, on the basis of Annexure A2 revised estimate and Annexure A3 work order. The report of the learned Ombudsman reads thus;
"This is a maramath petition filed by the Cochin Devaswom Board through the Secretary seeking permission to the applicant Cochin Devaswom Board to execute the renovation work of Pazhayannur Bhagavathy Temple, on the basis of Annexure A2 revised Estimate and Annexure A3 work order. The petition is supported by an Affidavit sworn in to by the Secretary.
2. It is averred that the Pazhayannur Bhagavathy Temple belongs to the Cochin Devaswom Board and renovation work of the temple was started as early as on 2010 after the temple was substantially damaged due to fire accident. The work was awarded to the Pazhayannur Bhagavathy Temple Renovation Committee on contribution basis and the contribution of the Board was fixed as 100% of the valuation amount or Rs.50 lakhs whichever is l
The court emphasized the need for proper audit and accountability in managing temple renovation funds, mandating the formation of a Temple Advisory Committee as per statutory requirements.
The Travancore Devaswom Board must ensure proper maintenance of temples, and the Temple Advisory Committee is authorized to collect funds for renovations under strict compliance with statutory proced....
The Travancore Devaswom Board has a fiduciary duty to manage temple properties effectively, ensuring timely completion of construction projects and accountability in financial dealings.
The court reinforced that the Temple Advisory Committee must fulfill statutory duties regarding financial account audits while confirming the limit of writ jurisdiction to prevent unlawful directives....
The court established that the Cochin Devaswom Board must protect temple funds and properties, ensuring proper management and preventing exploitation through unauthorized online platforms.
The main legal point established in the judgment is the legal impermissibility of unauthorized committees collecting funds in Hindu religious institutions, emphasizing the need for strict compliance ....
Building permits are essential for temple constructions under the Kerala Panchayat Building Rules, and all expenditures must be subjected to statutory audit.
The court ruled that a compromise decree is binding on parties involved, and a temple advisory committee cannot re-agitate settled issues regarding ritual performance and fund collection without appr....
Only the Temple Advisory Committee can conduct religious rites and collect contributions in temples managed by the Cochin Devaswom Board, as per statutory provisions.
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