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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
ANIL K.NARENDRAN, MR. JUSTICE MURALEE KRISHNA S., JJ
S.DEVARAJAN S/o LATE Sekharan,anoorveedu – Appellant
Versus
TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD – Respondent
JUDGMENT
Anil K. Narendran, J
The petitioner, who is a devotee of Vadakkum Bhagam Sree Mahadeva Temple, Kazhakoottam and a former member of the Temple Advisory Committee of that temple, which is under the management of the 1st respondent Travancore Devaswom Board, has filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of certiorari to quash Ext.P1 order dated 23.01.2025 issued by the 3rd respondent Deputy Devaswom Commissioner, on behalf of the 2nd respondent Devaswom Commissioner, whereby the term of the 6th respondent Temple Advisory Committee, in which respondents 7 to 17 were office bearers/members, stands extended for a period of six months for the purpose of undertaking the repair works of ’Kalithattu’ in the premise of the said temple. The petitioner has also sought for a writ of mandamus commanding respondents 1 and 2 to take immediate steps to constitute a new Advisory Committee as envisaged under Section 31A of Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950 .
2. On 06.02.2025, when this writ petition came up for admission, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board took notice on admission for respondents 1 to 5
The extension of a Temple Advisory Committee's term must comply with statutory provisions and prior court rulings, and cannot be granted for minor works.
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....
Temple Advisory Committees must operate strictly within the authority granted by the Travancore Devaswom Board, and deviations from prescribed conduct can lead to legal challenges and sanctions.
The extension of a Temple Advisory Committee's term without addressing complaints against its members is arbitrary and unjust, warranting judicial intervention and direct administration by the govern....
Trust/Temple/Institution - Extension of period of Temple - Power of Devaswom Commissioner or Board to extend term of Temple Advisory Committee which is fixed as per approved bye laws shall not be exe....
Only the Temple Advisory Committee can conduct religious rites and collect contributions in temples managed by the Cochin Devaswom Board, as per statutory provisions.
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 ....
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 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....
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