Kerala High Court Disposes of Suo Motu Case on Illegal Fireworks at Sarkkara Temple, Citing Lack of Evidence - 2025-01-29

Kerala HC Closes Fireworks Case Against Sarkkara Temple Citing Lack of Evidence, Reinforces Prior Directives

Ernakulam: The Kerala High Court has disposed of a suo motu case initiated over allegations of illegal fireworks at the Sarkkara Devi Temple, citing a lack of substantiating evidence. A Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. closed the proceedings but directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to remain vigilant and act on any future complaints in line with the court's previous orders on temple safety.

The court took up the matter, registered as DBP No. 117 of 2024, after receiving an anonymous complaint from a devotee. The complaint alleged that the temple's Administrative Officer had permitted illegal fireworks on August 17, 19, and 24, 2024, in direct violation of a High Court order from March 2024.

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Background of the Allegations

The case stemmed from a complaint against C.S. Praveen Kumar , the Administrative Officer of Sarkkara Devaswom , and another individual. The complainant claimed that they had orchestrated fireworks displays during temple rituals, flouting the court's earlier directions in D.B.P No. 15 of 2024. As proof, the complainant submitted a CD containing alleged video footage of the incident.

However, the case against the officials weakened significantly when the High Court Registry reported that the CD was unreadable, and its contents could not be retrieved or shared with the involved parties.

Submissions from Respondents

The court heard arguments from the state, the police, and the Travancore Devaswom Board , all of whom reported a lack of official complaints regarding the alleged incidents.

Administrative Officer: In a sworn affidavit, the officer categorically denied the allegations. He stated that he had only assumed charge in June 2024 and that no fireworks were conducted in violation of court orders. He submitted vazhipadu (offering) receipts for rituals on August 17 and 24, 2024, and clarified that no ritual took place on August 19, 2024.

Police and Devaswom Board : The Senior Government Pleader, on instructions from the Station House Officer of Chirayinkeezhu , informed the court that no complaint about fireworks at the temple on the specified dates had been filed. The TDB's Standing Counsel echoed this, confirming the Board had not received any such complaints either.

Court's Reasoning and Final Order

The Bench observed that the allegations were unsubstantiated due to the failure of the primary evidence (the unreadable CD) and the absence of any official complaints filed with the police or the Devaswom Board .

The court referenced its prior, comprehensive order in D.B.P. No. 15 of 2024, which had already addressed a separate fireworks incident on February 14, 2024. In that order, the court had issued specific directions:

"...The 2nd respondent Travancore Devaswom Board and its officials shall take necessary steps to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the temples under its management, in future.”

Finding no new, credible material on record for the August 2024 allegations, the court decided to dispose of the current petition. However, it used the opportunity to reinforce its previous mandate. The final order stated:

"Having considered the pleadings and materials on record and also the submissions made at the Bar, we deem it appropriate to dispose of this D.B.P. by directing the 4th respondent Travancore Devaswom Board and its officials to take necessary action, if such complaints are received in future, by taking note of the directions issued by this Court in the order dated 22.03.2024 in D.B.P. No.15 of 2024."

With this direction, the court closed the file, effectively placing the onus on the TDB to ensure strict compliance and accountability in all temples under its management.