SREE KOCHU MALAYALAPPUZHA DEVI KSHETHRA SAMRAKSHANA SAMITHI REG.NO.T Vs. DISTRICT COLLECTOR, CIVIL STATION, KODAPPANAKUNNU P.O. AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition is filed by the petitioners seeking to quash Ext.P15 order passed by the District Collector, Thiruvananthapuram, declining NOC to the petitioners to conduct the religious activities and prayers in the building owned by the petitioners. Brief material facts for the disposal of the writ petition are as follows:

(2.) First petitioner is a temple functioning as a Society registered in accordance with the provisions of the Travancore Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act. Second petitioner is its Secretary. According to the petitioners, the temple was started in the year 2007, without getting approval of the 1st respondent. The 2nd respondent Corporation, evident from Ext.P12 resolution, decided to regularise the temple building, if the District Collector is granting permission to conduct the temple in the building in question. That apart, the building was not numbered by the Secretary of the Corporation, even though Ext.P3 application was submitted. Thereafter, in accordance with the directions contained in W.P.(C) No.6405 of 2016, the application for numbering the building was considered. Petitioners have also submitted an application seeking permission to conduct daily 'poojas'. While the application was so pending, 1st respondent passed an order dated 10.02.2016, directing to stop the activities connected with the temple, evident from Ext.P4 dated 10.02.2016. Thereafter, 1st respondent passed Ext.P5 order dated 01.04.2016, to stop the functioning of the temple without getting necessary permission.

(3.) Being aggrieved by Exts.P4 and P5, petitioners filed W.P.(C) No.14980 of 2016 before this Court. While the said writ petition was pending, permission was granted for conducting daily poojas, evident from Ext.P6 order dated 19.04.2016. Thereafter, the said order was extended until further orders, as per Ext.P7 order dated 18.05.2016.