SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By the proceedings dtd. 31/1/2022 Registry was directed to initiate suo motu proceedings based on a news item that appeared in the Mathrubhumi online edition dtd. 30/1/2022 alleging huge corruption in submission of fake food bills at Sabarimala Guest House. As per that news report, top officials are behind disbanding the Vigilance Wing of the Travancore Devaswom Board. The move was spearheaded by those fearing arrest if the fake bills submitted at Sabarimala Guest House and the irregularities in the toilet construction come out. Four officers, including two Sub Inspectors, were removed from the Vigilance Wing of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

(2.) On 1/2/2022, when this DBP came up for consideration, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board pointed out that, at present the Vigilance Wing of the Board consists of the Chief Vigilance Officer and one Officer in the cadre of Sub Inspector of Police. The learned Senior Government Pleader submitted that other officers in the Vigilance Wing returned to their parent department, i.e., the Police department, since their period of deputation was over and there was no request by the Travancore Devaswom Board for extension of their period of deputation.

(3.) On 3/2/2022, when this DBP was taken up for consideration, the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, filed a report dtd. 2/2/2022, as per which, the Devaswom Office Complex of the Travancore Devaswom Board situated at Sannidhanam has nine designated rooms for the President, 2 members, Devaswom Minister, Chief Police Co-ordinator, Devaswom Commissioner, Chairman of the High Power Committee, Secretary of the Travancore Devaswom Board and also the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala. The room allotted to the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, also functions as his office. In the absence of the Special Commissioner, his Secretary or personnel staff, who are taken from the Board, will be in the Devaswom Office Complex (Devaswom Guest House). As and when State Guests, Constitutional dignitaries and VIP guests of the Board visit Sabarimala, they are accommodated in any of the vacant rooms of designated officials (except the office of the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala) free of cost. The food for guests are taken from the Devaswom Mess at Sannidhanam. In some cases, the guests themselves arrange food from the hotels at Sannidhanam. A register is being maintained at the Administrative Block regarding the number of officials and guests who are provided with food each day.