RAVIKUMAR M. Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of certiorari to quash Ext.P16 order dtd. 30/8/2024 issued by the 2nd respondent Commissioner, Malabar Devaswom Board; a writ of mandamus commanding the 2nd respondent Commissioner to forthwith take action against the respondents 4 and 5 namely the Executive Officer of the temple and the 5th respondent Temple Renovation Committee by invoking the powers under Sec. 19(2) of the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1951; a declaration that in the light of Ext.P8 audit report dtd. 16/8/2022 as well as in the light of Ext.P14 circular dtd. 28/2/1996, the 5th respondent Committee is incompetent to continue as the Renovation Committee for various works under Sree Mundayamprambu @ Tharakkumeetha Bhagavathy Kshetram, Mundayamparambu. Ext.P16 order of the 2nd respondent Commissioner is one issued pursuant to the direction contained in the judgment of this Court dtd. 23/4/2024 in W.P.(C)No.16402 of 2024.

(2.) On 21/10/2024, when this writ petition came up for admission, additional respondents 7 and 8 were impleaded by the order in I.A.No.1 of 2024. The learned Senior Government Pleader took notice on admission for the 1st respondent and the learned Standing Counsel for Malabar Devaswom Board for respondents 2, 3 and 6. Urgent notice by speed post was ordered to respondents 4, 5 and additional respondents 7 and 8, returnable within four weeks. The learned Standing Counsel for Malabar Devaswom Board was directed to get instructions.

(3.) On 18/11/2024, the 5th respondent entered appearance through counsel, who sought time to file counter affidavit. The learned counsel for the 4th respondent and also the learned counsel for the additional respondents 7 and 8 also sought time to file counter affidavits.