Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

2026 Supreme(Online)(Ker) 44061

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
Raja Vijayaraghavan V, K. V. Jayakumar, JJ
Travancore Devaswom Board – Appellant
Versus
Deputy Director – Respondent
DBA NO. 9 OF 2026

Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: G. Biju
For the Respondents: K R Sunil

Personnel transfers and postings in major temple administrations must be based on the efficiency and integrity of the officers, verified through vigilance and audit clearances.

Headnote:The petitioner sought permission from the court to transfer the existing Executive Officer of a major temple and appoint a new officer for the 2026-2027 term. The court examined the credentials of the proposed officer in light of previous directions to ensure that only efficient and upright officers are posted to major temples. Based on an inquiry by the Chief Security and Vigilance Officer and verification by the Audit Wing, it was established that no adverse findings or outstanding dues existed against the proposed appointee. The primary issue was whether the proposed transfer and appointment complied with the court's mandate regarding the integrity and efficiency of officers in major temples. The court reasoned that since the proposed officer had a clean record during previous tenure and no audit recoveries were pending, the appointment was permissible. This Devaswom Board Application is allowed.

Table of Content
1. application for administrative transfer and posting of a temple executive officer. (Para 1)
2. verification of officer integrity and efficiency through vigilance and audit reports. (Para 2 , 3 , 4)
3. granting of permission for officer transfer based on cleared credentials. (Para 5)

THIS DEVASWOM BOARD APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 16.07.2026, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

ORDER

Raja Vijayaraghavan V, J.

This Devaswom Board Application has been filed seeking permission to transfer Sri. O. G. Biju, the present Executive Officer of Sabarimala, and to post Sri. P. S. Santhakumar, who is presently working as the Director of Cultural Affairs, as the Executive Officer, Sabarimala, for the term 2026–2027.

2. In this context, it is apposite to note that this Court, in its order dated 13.07.2022 in DBP No. 22 of 2022, have ordered that while effecting transfers and postings, the Board shall ensure that only efficient and upright officers are posted as Administrative Officers/Executive Officers in the major temples under its management.

3. We find that the Chief Security and Vigilance Officer (Superintendent of Police), Vigilance & Security Wing of the Board, conducted an inquiry into the credentials of Sri. P. S. Santhakumar, it has been reported that during his previous tenure as the Administrative Officer of Sabarimala, no adverse findings were recorded against him. The Audit Wing has also verified the Sabarimala Audit Reports relating to the period during which Sri. P. S. Santhakumar served as the Administrative Officer and has reported that no amount is pending recovery from him.

4. The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the Devaswom Board has also submitted that there are no outstanding dues payable by Sri. P. S. Santhakumar to the Devaswom Board.

5. In that view of the matter, we allow this application and grant permission to the Travancore Devaswom Board to transfer Sri. O. G. Biju from Sabarimala and to post Sri. P. S. Santhakumar as the Executive Officer of Sabarimala, in terms of Annexure-A2 Order. Sri. P. S. Santhakumar is permitted to assume charge with effect from today.

This Devaswom Board Application is allowed.

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2026 Supreme(Online)(Ker) 44061

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAMRaja Vijayaraghavan V, K. V. Jayakumar, JJTravancore Devaswom Board – AppellantVersusDeputy Director – RespondentDBA NO. 9 OF 2026

Personnel transfers and postings in major temple administrations must be based on the efficiency and integrity of the officers, verified through vigilance and audit clearances.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
Raja Vijayaraghavan V, K. V. Jayakumar, JJ
Travancore Devaswom Board – Appellant
Versus
Deputy Director – Respondent
DBA NO. 9 OF 2026