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2023 Supreme(Online)(KER) 8556
HIGH COURT OF KERALA
ANIL K. NARENDRAN, P. G. Ajithkumar, JJ
ADARSH A.G., – Appellant
Versus
THE SPECIAL DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER – Respondent
DBP 50 2020
P.NANDAKUMAR, SRI.S.ANEESH, K.P.SUDHEER, SRI.G.BIJU
The court establishes that transparency in the appointment process for public positions is essential, particularly when dealing with statutory bodies like the Cochin Devaswom Board.
Headnote:
Recruitment - Kazhakom - Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950 - Section 73A; Constitution of India - Article 226 - A summary of the judgments indicates that the Cochin Devaswom Board's exercise of authority concerning the appointment of Kazhakom requires transparency, adherence to statutory obligations, and protection of the rights of individuals selected through the recruitment process.
Fact of the Case:
The case revolves around recruitment and appointments for the Kazhakom position under the Cochin Devaswom Board, where select list candidates alleged that appointments were not made as per the list, with temporary employees being appointed instead.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that while appointments were made from the select list, vacancies were not fully reported to the Recruitment Board. The ongoing practice of appointing temporary workers without proper regulatory adherence lacked transparency, thus necessitating a clear methodology for future appointments.
Issues: The main issues are the illegal appointments of provisional employees in place of candidates from the select list and whether the Cochin Devaswom Board adhered to its duties and obligations under the law in making such appointments.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the need for the Cochin Devaswom Board to operate transparently and legally in appointing employees, particularly by ensuring all vacancies are reported and filled following lawful processes.
Final Decision: The court disposed of the writ petitions with directions for better transparency and adherence to lawful appointment practices by the Cochin Devaswom Board.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN &
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.G. AJITHKUMAR MONDAY, THE 9TH DAY OF JANUARY 2023 / 19TH POUSHA, 1944 D.B.P.NO. 50 OF 2020 IN THE MATTER OF TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD - TDB PROCEEDINGS INITIATED - REG.
------------ PETITIONERS:
1 ADARSH A.G., SCREENA, VILAIKKADU, MADAVOOR P.O., PALLIKKAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 602.
2 AJITH KRISHNAN K.S., KIZHAKKUMKARA PUTHENVEEDU, THENGUMKODE K.T. KUNNU P.O., KOLLAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 608.
3 AKHILRAJ S., KODAKULANGARA, PADINJATTATHIL, MENAMPALLY, MUKUNDAPURAM, P.O. CHAVARA - 691 585.
4 BINU M.R., MANKEESHAPPADY, AYMANAM P.O., KOTTAYAM - 686 015.
5 BINU CHANDRAN B.L., PANDARAVILA VEEDU, THENGUMKODU, K.T. KUNNU P.O., KALLARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 608.
6 BIJU K., KOTTOOR HOUSE, KODAKKAD, OLAT P.O., KASARAGOD - 671 310.
7 GOKUL J.M., SUKESINI SADANAM, KIDAYARAKONAM, VENPAKAL P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 123.
8 GOPU M.P., KIZHAKKEVEEDU, TC.18/1292(2), ARAMADA P.O., THRUKKANNAPURAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 032.
9 HARIKRISHNAN C.V., LAKSHMI NIVAS, PORUVAZHI (NADUVIL), CHATHAKKULAM P.O. - 690 520.
10 MAHESH M., PUTHENVEETTIL THAZHATHIL, MUTTOM P.O., THUMPAMON, PATHANAMTHITTA - 689 502.
11 NITHINKUMAR S., THEKKEVILA VEEDU, CHILAMPIL - 695 305.
12 NIKHIL S.P., SANKARAMANGALAM, THAMALLAKKAL P.O., HARIPPADU, ALAPPUZHA - 690 548.
13 PATHMALAL P., PUTHANVEEDU, KOZHIKKODU, S.V. MARKET P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY - 690 573.
14 PRAVEENKUMAR S., KANNANUNNI, KARIMCHEMPANADU, KADAMPARA, POOZHANADU P.O., KATTAKKADA, THIRUVANANTHAPRUAM - 695 125.
15 REMESH R., RAJESH BHAVANAM, MARANADU P.O., EZHUKONE, KOLLAM - 691 505. 16 RANJITH R., KAILAS, MUTHUKATTUKARA, NOORANADU P.O., ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT - 690 504.
17 SUJITH S., KILITHATTIL VEEDU, VATTAYAM, VELLUMANNADI P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 607.
18 SIVAKUMAR S.R., KURUNTHANKUDI VEEDU, AYYAPPA NAGAR, KARALI, PARASSALA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
19 SUNILKUMAR K., ALUMVILA PADITTATHIL, SANDHOSH BHAVANAM, KARIMULAKKAL, KOMALLUR P.O., ALAPPUZHA - 690 505. 20 SREEJITH MOHAN GOPALA NIVAS, MEKKOLLA DHANUVACHAPURAM P.O., 21 SREERAJ M., SREENILAYAM, PANKONAM, MUKHATHALA P.O., KOLLAM - 691 577.
22 SREERAJ U.P,.
KANNAMBALLIL MADOM, EEZHAKKADAVU POST, MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA - 690 104.
23 VARUN GOVIND K., MADATHIPARAMBU HOUSE, RAMAVARMAPURAM P.O., THRISSUR VILLADAM, PIN - 680 631.
24 VISHNU ARAVIND A., C.S. BHAVAN, KOOTTAPPARA, NEYYATTINKARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 121.
25 VISHNU R., JAYABHAVAN, THRIKKOVILVATTOM, MUKHATHALA P.O., KOLLAM - 691 577. 26 VIJEESH R., VIJAYA BHAVANAM, KAREELAKKULANGARA P.O., KARUVATTUMKUZHI, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT - 690 572.
27 ANOOP A.T., ELAMPAKKATU HOUSE, THANKALAM, KOTHAMANGALAM P.O., ERNAKULAM DISTRICT - 686 691.
28 BIJOY CHANDRASEKHARAN P., VANALA PUTHANVEEDU, N.A.D. P.O., ALUVA - 683 563.
29 GOKUL A.R., KAILASAM, KAMURAKKONAM, KONCHIRA P.O., VEMBAYAM - 695 615.
30 HARIKRISHNAN M., MOHANA SADANAM, MALAYIL, VELIYAM P.O., KOTTARAKKARA, KOLLAM DISTRICT - 691 540.
31 PRAVEEN M.K., MEETHALE KONOTH HOUSE, EAST KADIRUR, THALASSERY, KANNUR - 670 642.
32 PRAMOD A.P., SREENILAYAM, KANNNGODU, VENJARAMOODU P.O.-695 607.
33 RAJKUMAR S., CHEKKANIYKKAL VEEDU, PURAVOOR, CHIRAYINKEEZHU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DIST., PIN - 695 304.
34 RAJANEESH R., RADHA MANDIRAM, VELIYANNOOR P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 543.
35 ROTHISH G., KUTTUCHAL VEEDU, MUDAKKAL P.O. - 695 103.
36 SUNILKUMAR S., S.S. NIVAS, ULIYAKKOVIL P.O., KOLLAM - 691 019.
37 VISHNU DAS V.M., VATTATHUPARAMBIL, KOTTANELLOORE P.O., VELAYANAD - 680 662.
38 VAISAKHMOHAN M., VAISAKH BHAVAN, AAZHIMALA, PULINKUDY, MULLOOR P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 521.
39 VINOD R., THIRUPPATHY BHAVAN, KUMUKUMCHERY, AAVANEESWARAM P.O., KOLLAM - 691 508.
BY ADV SUO MOTU RESPONDENTS:
1 THE SPECIAL DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, THRISSUR.
2 THE SECRETARY COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, THRISSUR SRI K.P. SUDHEER -STANDING COUNSEL - COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD OTHER PRESENT:
SRI S.RAJMOHAN- SR GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI P.RAMACHANDRAN- AMICUS CURIAE SRI V.V. NANDAGOPAL NAMBIAR
