Court directed expeditious temple trustee appointment within two months, mandating compliance with prior judgment on disqualifications and hearings.

This writ petition is filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India, claiming the following reliefs:

“I. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction directing the respondents to expeditiously conclude and finalise the appointment process for the post of non-hereditary trustees to Udayavar Sree Daivangalu Temple, Manjeswar, Kasaragod subject to the directions already issued by the Hon’le Court as per law, within a time limit of one week from 09.04.026, or within such other time frame as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the interests of justice.”

2. The petitioner states that he is a devotee of Udayavar Sree Daivangalu Temple, Manjeswar. The 4th respondent, Assistant Commissioner, Malabar Devaswom Board has invited applications for the post of non-hereditary trustees in the said temple as per Ext.P1 notification dated 22.10.2025.

3. The petitioner has submitted an application pursuant to Ext.P1 notification. Thereafter, he has appeared before the 5th respondent for verification of documents.

4. The petitioner further submits that on 11.03.2026, one B. Harshavardhan Shetty has filed WP(C) No.9942/2026 alleging that some of the candidates are disqualified to be appointed as non-hereditary trustees as per Clause 3(f) and (g) of the bye-laws as they are active politicians. He has also produced Ext.P3, judgment of this Court dated 19.03.2026.

5. Smt.Ummul Fida, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the annual festival of the temple is scheduled to be held from 15.04.2026 to 15.05.2026 and in the absence of duly appointed non-hereditary trustees, it may not be possible to conduct the festival smoothly. Therefore, the counsel seeks a relief of expeditious appointment for the post of non-hereditary trustees to Udayavar Sree Daivangalu Temple, Manjeshwar.

6. Smt.Ranjanie, the learned counsel for the Malabar Devaswom Board submitted that due to the declaration of the election and the Model Code of Conduct, it is not possible to finalise the process of appointment of non-hereditary trustees within a short time. Moreover, as per Ext.P3 judgment of this Court, the Board has to issue notice to all the affected parties and to afford them an opportunity of being heard. Therefore, according to the counsel, a minimum of two months time is required for the conclusion of the selection process.

7. Having considered the submissions of the learned counsel, we deem it appropriate to expedite the selection process for the appointment of non-hereditary trustees in Udayavar Sree Daivangalu Temple, Manjeshwar. The Board shall conclude the selection process within the outer limit of two months from the date of this judgment. Needless to say, the directions issued by this Court in Ext.P3 judgment are to be strictly complied with.

The Writ Petition is disposed of as above.