SUO MOTU Vs. TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) On 3/2/2022, a news item appeared in Mathrubumi daily that the Travancore Devaswom Board has leased out Pamba-Triveni Manalppuram to a Trust for conducting programme by name 'Ramakatha', from 19/2/2022 till 27/2/2022. As per that news report, the Board has already issued orders in this regard. Under the initiative of the said Trust, Pamba-Triveni Manalppuram and surroundings are cleaned. Activities relating to erection of 'pantal' are going on. The parking area and helipad at Nilakkal are also leased out on depositing rent and necessary charges for supply of electricity and water. Nilakkal and Pamba are 'High Security Zone' and there is no clarity as to whether Police clearance has already been obtained for conducting the programme and use of helipad.

(2.) On 3/2/2022, Registry was directed to initiate suo motu proceedings based on the aforesaid news item and list the matter before the Devaswom Bench, on that day itself. A copy of the D.B.P. was ordered to be issued to the learned State Attorney, the learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board and also to the learned Amicus Curiae for the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala.

(3.) On 4/2/2022, when this D.B.P. was taken up for consideration, the learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board has filed a statement producing therewith Ext.R3(a) request dtd. 26/8/2021 made by Shri Nandkishore Bajoria Charitable Trust seeking permission to organise a 9 day programme by name 'Ramakatha' by Morari Bapu in Pamba from 9/10/2021 to 17/10/2021; Annexure R3(b) order dtd. 31/12/2021 of the Secretary of the Travancore Devaswom Board, whereby permission has been granted for conducting that programme, subject to the conditions stipulated therein, from 19/2/2022 to 27/2/2022; Ext.R3(c) communication dtd. 27/1/2022 of the District Medical Officer (Health), Pathanamthitta, addressed to the Managing Trustee of Shri Nandkishore Bajoria Charitable Trust, advising to conduct the programme online, since Pathanamthitta District is included in 'Category C', considering the total number of Covid cases; and Ext.R3(d) communication dtd. 28/1/2022 of the Executive Officer, Sabarimala, to the District Collector, Pathanamthitta, regarding the conduct of the aforesaid programme.