SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) On 11/7/2022, a news item appeared in Mathrubhumi daily that three devotees from a family sustained injury at Valiyakalavoor Temple, Alappuzha, under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board. Police has registered a crime in connection with the said incident in which a portion of the concrete on the top of the Anakkottil in Valiyakalavoor Temple fell down during the 'choroonu' of their 5 months old baby. The incident happened on 10/7/2022 at 9.30 a.m. By proceedings dtd. 13/7/2022, Registry was directed to initiate suo motu proceedings based on the said news item and to place the matter today before the Devaswom Bench.

(2.) The Chief Engineer, Travancore Devaswom Board, Nanthancode, Kowdiar Post, Thiruvnanthapuram-695 003; the Executive Engineer, Travancore Devaswom Board, Office of the Executive Engineer, Mavelikara Division-690101; and Assistant Devaswom Commissioner, Travancore Devaswom Board, Ambalapuzha Group, Alappuzha- 688 561 are suo motu impleaded as additional respondents 6 to 8. The description of the 4th respondent is corrected as 'Administrative Officer/Sub Group Officer', instead of 'Executive Officer'. Registry to make necessary corrections.

(3.) Heard the learned Senior Government Pleader and also the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board.