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Bans Administrative Officers From Acting As Suppliers In Sabarimala Temple
In a decisive move to uphold the integrity of religious administration, the has strictly prohibited the practice of temple officials acting as private suppliers for rituals. A bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K. V. Jayakumar delivered the order after reviewing a report by the regarding the procurement of offerings at the Sabarimala shrine.
A Deep-Rooted
The judicial scrutiny followed a series of audits that raised alarms over how pooja materials—such as milk, tender coconut, and rose water—were being procured. The investigation exposed that for years, administrative officers at Sabarimala were simultaneously functioning as contractors, supplying the very materials required for public rituals. This duality created a systemic lack of transparency, with audit reports noting that no proper stock ledgers or purchase vouchers were maintained for significant financial outlays amounting to nearly ₹65.96 lakh.
Judicial Scrutiny and Ethical Concerns
During these proceedings, the Court reviewed reports detailing the involvement of various agents, including one Sunil Kumar, known as 'Sunil Swamy'. The audit revealed persistent document evasions, where requested purchase bills were never provided for verification. The Court's indignation was apparent, as it addressed the dangerous convergence of administrative duty and commercial interest.
Key observations from the bench highlighted the moral and legal failures:
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"Such an arrangement is a grossly unholy practice in a holy place."
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"The practice of permitting an officer of the Devaswom Board to function simultaneously as a supplier or contractor is wholly inappropriate."
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"Such an arrangement... violates the principles of transparency, accountability and institutional integrity."
Mandating a New Order
Commending the for its proactive decision on , the Court sanctioned a complete overhaul of the procurement process. Under the new directive, all materials for Vazhipadus (offerings) must be procured, stored, and issued exclusively through the Board's Central Store.
The Court further mandated that this process be fully digitized and that all sponsored items be properly recorded and receipts issued according to the standard accounting procedure (DFF No. 3). Additionally, all sponsored materials must now pass quality and safety checks by the local before use in the sanctum sanctorum.
Beyond immediate local implementation, the High Court issued a broader mandate for the to audit procurement practices across all its temples. This phased, time-bound reform is intended to eliminate avenues for arbitrariness, favoritism, and corruption, ensuring that the sanctity of these public religious institutions remains shielded from . The judgment marks a significant turning point, reinforcing the necessity of strict financial accountability within the management of Kerala’s sacred spaces.
