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Deprecates 's ₹28 Lakh Spending On Luxuries
The on Tuesday expressed strong disapproval of the 's decision to spend over ₹28 lakh from temple funds — within a short period — on repairs, household articles, and a new car for the Devaswom Commissioner, S. R. Udayakumar. The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K. V. Jayakumar noted that the expenditure was incurred in violation of government norms, including a order on vehicle replacement.
How Temple Money Was Spent
The Court was hearing a filed by devotee K. B. Sumod, and a Devaswom Board Petition (DBP) arising from an based on complaints by three individuals. The allegations centered on Commissioner Udayakumar, who was appointed on a deputation basis in . The Board allotted him a century-old quarter (B1) and sanctioned funds for extensive civil and electrical repairs (₹9,57,062), followed by the purchase of a range of household items including air conditioners, a washing machine, refrigerator, LED TV, curtains, and furniture (₹4,23,950). A new Maruti Grand Vitara was also bought for ₹14,63,301, replacing a Ford EcoSport that had only been in use since 2020 and had covered 86,419 kilometres.
Board's Defence and Audit Findings
The Board argued that all expenses had prior approval and proper vouchers. However, the 's affidavit revealed that there was no provision for furnishing the Commissioner's residence, and the vehicle replacement violated the Government Order which mandates that a light motor vehicle can only be replaced after 10 years of service or 3 lakh kilometers. The Audit Department had already flagged these irregularities in DBAR No.5/2025. The Special Government Pleader for Devaswom conceded that the expenditure violated existing rules.
'Shocked and Dismayed'
The Court minced no words in its observations.
"We are shocked and dismayed to note that the Board has incurred an expenditure to the tune of Rs.28,44,313/- from the Devaswom funds within a short period for the repairs of the residential quarter, purchase of vehicle and purchase of household articles for an Officer, who was appointed on a deputation basis for a limited period, that too, violating the Rules and Regulations,"
the Bench stated. It further added,
"We strongly disapprove and deprecate the actions of the Board and its top officials for incurring expenditure for luxuries and comforts of the officers, violating the norms, Rules and Regulations."
Directions for Audit Compliance
The Court highlighted that under , the Board is duty-bound to ensure proper maintenance and upliftment of temples and facilities for devotees — not to spend on comforts for its officers. Noting that most of the 409 temples under the Board are in dilapidated condition, the Court directed the Board to finalise the noted in DBAR No.5/2025 within three months. The Secretary of the Board must then file an within one month thereafter. The Court made it clear that such disregard for norms would not be tolerated in the future.
