ASOK KUMAR Vs. TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, who is a resident of Chettikulangara and also a devotee and worshipper of Chettikulangara Devi Temple in Mavelikkara Taluk, which is under the management of the 1st respondent Travancore Devaswom Board, has filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of mandamus commanding respondents 1 to 4 to permit the devotees of Chettikulangara Devi Temple to offer 'Kettukazhcha' without any restriction on height during 'Aswathy Festival' which is scheduled to be held on 3/4/2022. Going by the averments in the Writ Petition, the grievance of the petitioner is that the 4th respondent Sree Devi Vilasom Hindumatha Convention Trust, which is the Temple Advisory Committee of Chettikulangara Devi Temple, imposed restriction on the height of 'Kettukazhcha' (chariot) to be dedicated by the devotees on 3/4/2022. As per that restriction the height of 'Kettukazhcha' shall be less than 20 feet. According to the petitioner, the above restriction imposed by the 4th respondent amounts to interference with the religious freedom of the petitioner.

(2.) On 25/3/2022, when this writ petition came up for admission, the learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board took notice on admission for respondents 1 to 3. Urgent notice on admission by Special Messenger was ordered to the 4th respondent, returnable by 30/3/2022.

(3.) On 30/3/2022, when this writ petition came up for consideration, the Station House Officer, Mavelikkara and also the District Collector, Alappuzha, were suo motu impleaded as additional respondents 4 and 5. The learned Senior Government Pleader entered appearance for the additional respondents and sought time to get instructions.