JAYAKUMAR J. Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The issue raised in these writ petitions relates to the conduct of 'Nava Kerala Sadas' in the Devaswom land of Chakkuvally Sree Parabrahma Temple, which is a temple under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

(2.) W.P.(C)No.41819 of 2023 is filed by two devotees of Chakkuvally Sree Parabrahma Temple seeking a writ of certiorari to call for the records leading to the decision taken by the 2nd respondent Travancore Devaswom Board allowing the conduct of 'Nava Kerala Sadas', which is scheduled to be held on 18/12/2023, in the premises of Chakkuvally Sree Parabrahma Temple; a writ of mandamus commanding the 1strespondent State to abstain from holding 'Nava Kerala Sadas' in the premises of Chakkuvally Sree Parabrahma Temple or any other temple premises; and a declaration that the decision of the 1strespondent State and the 2ndrespondent Travancore Devaswom Board to conduct 'Nava Kerala Sadas' in the premises of Chakkuvally Sree Parabrahma Temple is per se illegal and violative of Article 25 of the Constitution of India.

(3.) W.P.(C)No.42081 of 2023 is filed by two other devotees of Chakkuvally Sree Parabrahma Temple seeking a writ of mandamus commanding the 2ndrespondent Travancore Devaswom Board and its officials, who are arrayed as respondents 3 to 5, not to permit the conduct of 'Nava Kerala Sadas', which is scheduled to be held on 18/12/2023, in the compound of Chakkuvally Sree Parabrahma Temple, which is under the management of the Board; and a writ of mandamus commanding the Board and its officials not to allow any activity in the premises of Chakkuvally Sree Parabrahma Temple, which are not connected with or arising from the worship, usages and observations of that temple, in violation of the provisions of the Hindu Places of Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Act, 1965 and the Rules made thereunder.