Kerala High Court Slams Devaswom Board for 'Shocking Neglect' of Historic College, Orders Proper Restoration Plan

Thrissur, Kerala – The Kerala High Court has delivered a stinging rebuke to the Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB) for its "disturbing indifference" towards the maintenance of the historic Sree Kerala Varma College, describing the condition of its heritage buildings as a "shocking state of neglect, deterioration and structural degeneration."

In a strongly-worded order, a Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K. V. Jayakumar rejected the Board's "wholly inadequate" and "technically unsafe" proposal for repairing the college's Main Block. The court has mandated a comprehensive, scientific, and heritage-sensitive restoration process, setting a four-week deadline for the submission of a new, detailed report.

Background of the Case

The matter, registered as DBP NO. 67 OF 2025, came before the High Court based on a report from the Ombudsman seeking approval for the CDB's repair estimate for the Main Block (H Block) of Sree Kerala Varma College. The court noted that the repairs were urgently needed for classrooms accommodating over 500 students, which were in an "acutely dilapidated condition."

The Principal of the college had repeatedly warned the Board since December 2024 about the perilous state of the buildings, citing leaking roofs, termite-infested rafters falling on students, and unsanitary conditions, stating that the "safety of the students and the staff were at peril."

A Legacy in Ruins: Court's Scathing Observations

The Bench expressed its "deep concern and dismay" after reviewing photographs of the college buildings, including the historic Merry Lodge Palace, which was the summer retreat of the Maharaja of Cochin and forms the central landmark of the campus. The college itself was established in 1947 through the "extraordinary generosity" of the then Maharaja, Sri Kerala Varma XV.

The court observed that the present condition of the buildings is a far cry from their glorious past, noting the irony that the college website continues to display images of the structures in their original splendor.

> "The state of the Main Block, in particular, is pitiable, if not alarming. We are unable to comprehend how the Cochin Devaswom Board, which is entrusted with the administration and upkeep of this historic institution of higher learning, has permitted matters to deteriorate to such an extent," the court stated.

"Grossly Vague" Repair Plan Criticized

The High Court meticulously dismantled the repair proposal submitted by the CDB and prepared by its engineering division, the Maramath Wing. The court found the estimate to be a "vague abstract estimate devoid of technical specifications, bill of quantities, detailed structural assessment or architectural conservation inputs."

Key criticisms included:

* Lack of Detail: The abstract and detailed estimates were identical and lacked any specifications for materials like steel or paint.

* Unsafe Methods: The proposal to entrust the work to the non-technical Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) based on a lump-sum estimate was deemed a recipe for "irreversible damage."

* Risk of Corruption: The court warned that such a vague process "would inevitably lead to inflated costs, substitution of inferior materials and pilferage."

> "The lack of accountability is evident on the face of the record, and we find a gross violation of established engineering and public-works protocols," the judgment reads.

Court Mandates Scientific and Heritage-Compliant Restoration

Finding the Board's approach entirely unacceptable for a heritage structure built in 1912, the court laid down a clear and mandatory roadmap for any future repair work. The Bench directed the Cochin Devaswom Board to:

• Conduct a Comprehensive Audit: Engage a qualified Architect and Structural Engineer to conduct a thorough structural and architectural condition assessment, including a structural audit, roof plan, and tile-condition mapping.
• Prepare Detailed Plans: Create a detailed conservation plan with clear material specifications for timber, roofing, and all other components, ensuring the "structural authenticity and heritage character of the building shall be maintained."
• Create a Bill of Quantities: Prepare a detailed estimate and Bill of Quantities covering all aspects of the work, from materials and labour to dismantling and conservation charges.
• Ensure Competent Execution: Tender the work only to a competent contractor skilled in the restoration of heritage structures, or have the Maramath Wing oversee the execution directly if the plans are properly prepared.

Final Decision and Implications

The High Court has ordered the Maramath Wing to complete this entire exercise and place a comprehensive report before it within four weeks. The order serves as a powerful directive on the duties of public bodies entrusted with the care of public and heritage assets, emphasizing the need for professionalism, transparency, and accountability.