SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By the proceedings dtd. 19/3/2022, Registry was directed to initiate suo motu proceedings based on a news item that appeared in Manorama News Online regarding irregularities in the sale of Vazhipadu items in Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple, especially, in the sale of 'Koovalamala'. A CD containing the news item that appeared in the online media is annexed to this DBP. A copy of the DBP along with CD has already been served on the learned Senior Government Pleader and also the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board. On 21/3/2022, the Assistant Devaswom Commissioner, Travancore Devaswom Board, Vaikom; the Temple Advisory Committee, Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple, represented by its Secretary; and Sri.C.G. Radhakrishnan, the successful bidder, were suo motu impleaded as additional respondents 6 to 8.

(2.) The news item that appeared in Manorama News Online pointed out serious irregularities in the sale of Vazhipadu items in Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple, especially in the sale of 'Koovalamala'. The additional 8th respondent is the successful bidder supplying Vazhipadu items and garlands in Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple.

(3.) In the order dtd. 21/3/2022 this Court noticed that, if as a matter of fact, Vazhipadu items and 'Koovalamala' supplied from the stall conducted by the additional 8 th respondent are sub-standard, which is omitted to be noticed by the 4th respondent Administrative Officer, it is a serious lapse on his part. Similarly, the Devaswom employees connected with religious rites are duty bound to inform such irregularities in the supply of Vazhipadu items to the 4 th respondent Administrative Officer, at the appropriate time, so as to enable him to take necessary action against the person responsible for such irregularities. When the duty of the Travancore Devaswom Board, as per Sec. 15A of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950, includes the duty to see that the regular traditional rites and ceremonies according to the practice prevalent in the religious institutions are performed promptly, the 4th respondent Administrative Officer and other administrative officials and employees of Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple, including those connected with religious rites, have a statutory duty to ensure that no sub-standard Vazhipadu items are supplied to the devotees by the successful bidder. The additional 7th respondent Temple Advisory Committee of Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple, constituted under Sec. 31A of the Act, consisting of 'persons interested' in the said temple, as defined under clause (d) of Sec. 2 of the Act, has also got a statutory duty to ensure that no sub-standard Vazhipadu items are supplied to the devotees by successful bidders.