C. R. Dayananda Babu v. Travancore Devaswom Board and Others

``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 1 ``` # **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ``` PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN ``` ``` & ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE VIJU ABRAHAM ``` ``` WEDNESDAY, THE 13[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 22ND BHADRA, 1945 ``` ``` WP(C) NO. 24813OF 2023 ``` ``` PETITIONER: ``` ``` C.R. DAYANANDA BABU, AGED 61 YEARS, S/O. P.K. RAJAPPAN, KRISHNA NIVAS, PATTANAKKAD P.O., CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688531 ``` - **`BY ADVS.J.OM PRAKASH T.G.SUNIL (PRANAVAM) C.X.ANTONY BENEDICT T.G.MANOJ T.G.SANTHOSH T.G.MAHESH EMMANUAL SANJU`** ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** - **`1 THE TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, DEVASWOM HEADQUARTERS, KOWDIAR P.O., NANDANCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003`** - **`2 THE DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER, THE TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, DEVASWOM HEADQUARTERS, KOWDIAR P.O., NANDANCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003`** - **`3 THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, VAIKOM GROUP, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, VAIKOM P.O., PIN - 686141`** - **`4 THE SUB GROUP OFFICER, PATTANAKKAD SREE MAHADEVA TEMPLE, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, PATTANAKKAD P.O., CHEFTHALA, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688531`** - **`5 SHRI.C.N. SUBRAMANIAN, AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. NARAYANA PANICKER, CHINKKARAD, WARD NO. 13, PATTANAKKAD P.O. (PRESIDENT, TEMPLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, PATTANAKKAD SREE MAHADEVA TEMPLE.`** ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 2 ``` ## **`PATTANAKKAD P.O. CHERTHALA, PIN - 688531`** - **`6 DHARMAJAN, AGED 52 YEARS, S/O. MAYILAN, VALIYATHARAYLL, WARD NO.15, PATTANAKKAD P.O. CHERTHALA. (VICE PREDIDENT, TEMPLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, PATTANAKKAD SREE MAHADEVA TEMPLE. KADAKKARAPPALLY P.O., CHERTHALA., PIN - 688529`** - **`7 SUDHEESH C.D, AGED 49 YEARS, S/O.CHELLAPPAN, KARAKKAL, WARD NO.5, PATTANAKKAD P.O., CHERTHALA (SECRETARY, TEMPLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, PATTANAKKAD SREE MAHADEVA TEMPLE. PATTANAKKAD P.O. CHERTHALA), PIN - 688531`** - **`8 KALADHARAN, AGED 72 YEATS, S/O. BHASKARAN, AMBADIYIL, WARD NO.5, PATTANAKKAD P.O., CHERTHALA (MEMBER, TEMPLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, PATTANAKKAD SREE MAHADEVA TEMPLE. PATTANAKKAD P.O. CHERTHALA), PIN - 688531`** ## **`BY ADV SANTHOSH KUMAR G`** ``` OTHER PRESENT: ``` ``` SRI. S. RAJMOHAN, SR. GP, ``` ## **`SRI.G. SANTHOSHKUMAR, SC, TDB`** ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON ``` ``` 13.09.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 3 ``` ## **JUDGMENT** ## Anil K Narendran, J **.** The petitioner, who is a devotee of Pattanakkad Sree Mahadeva Temple and also a member of the Temple Advisory Committee of the said temple, which is under the management of the Travancore Dewaswom Board has filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the constitution of India seeking a declaration that respondents 5 to 8 are not eligible to be continued as members or office bearers of Pattanakkad Sree Mahadeva Temple and an order commanding the 1[st] respondent Board and its officials to restrain respondents 5 to 8 from functioning as members or office bearers of the Temple Advisory Committee of Pattanakkad Sree Mahadeva Temple. The document marked as Ext.P2 is the byelaws (Rules) framed by the Travancore Devaswom Board under Sub Section 3 of Section 31A of the Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Constitutions Act, 1950 regarding formation of Temple Advisory Committee in the temples under the management of the Board, which was approved by this Court in the order dated 10.11.2011 in DBA No.153 of 2009. In support of the relief sought for in this writ petition, the petitioner would rely on the provisions under Clause 3, Ext.P2 by-laws, which deal with membership in ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 4 ``` the registered mandalam. In the writ petition, it is stated that respondents 5 to 7, who are elected as the President, Vice President, Secretary respectively and the 8[th] respondent, who is elected as a member of the Temple Advisory Committee of Pattanakkad Sree Mahadeva Temple are not eligible to become members or office bearers of the Temple Advisory Committee. The 5[th] respondent, who is a member of the Temple Advisory Committee of Thuravoor Mahakshethram, which is another temple under the Management of the Travancore Devaswom Board. In order to substantiate the same, the petitioner would place reliance on Ext.P3 extract of the voters' list of the registered mandalam of Thuravoor Mahakshethram, in which his membership number is 802. The petitioner would rely on Exts.P4 and P5 documents to show the disqualification of the 5[th] respondent for being elected as a member of the Temple Advisory Committee of the Pattanakkad Sree Mahadeva Temple. Insofar as the 6[th] respondent is concerned, he is working as a member in the Board of Directors of the Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (Card Bank) Cherthala, which is evident from Ext.P6. Moreover, he is residing 6 kms away from the temple. Insofar as the 7[th] respondent is concerned, he is a member of the Changamvelil Kudumba Kshethra Paripalana Trust, with ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 5 ``` membership No.39. In order to substantiate the said fact Ext.P7 notice of the General Body is placed on record. Insofar as the 8[th] respondent is concerned, he is the Secretary of the Changamvelil Kudumba Kshethra Paripalana Trust of Thuravoor Mahakshethram. The document marked as Ext.P8 is a lawyer notice caused to be issued by the petitioner to respondents 2 to 7 pointing out the disqualification of respondents 5 to 8 for being elected as the members of the Temple Advisory Committee of Pattanakkad Sree Mahadeva Temple and as its office bearers. 2. On 01.08.2023, when this writ petition came up for admission, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board took notice on admission for respondents 1 to 4, urgent notice on admission by speed post was ordered to respondents 5 to 8, returnable within three weeks. The learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board was directed to get instructions and make available for the perusal of this Court the applications made by the respondents 5 to 8 to get themselves enrolled in the registered mandalam of Pattanakkad Sree Mahadeva Temple. 3. On 23.8.2023, when this writ petition came up for consideration, respondents 5,7 and 8 entered appearance through counsel, who sought time to file counter affidavit. Despite service ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 6 ``` of notice, none appears for the 6[th] respondent. 4. Today, when this writ petition is taken up for consideration, there was no appearance for respondents 5 to 8. 5. The learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board has made available for the perusal of this Court, copy of the applications made by respondents 5 to 8 for membership in the registered mandalam of Pattanakkad Sree Mahadeva Temple. 6. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board for respondents 1 to 4. 7. Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950 enacted by the State Legislature makes provision for the administration, supervision and control of incorporated and unincorporated Devaswoms and of other Hindu Religious Endowments and Funds. As per subsection (3) of Section 1 of the Act, substituted by the Kerala Adaption of Laws Order, 1956, Part I of the Act shall extend to Travancore, Part II of the Act shall extend to Cochin and Part III of the Act shall extend to the whole of the State of Kerala, excluding the Malabar District. 8. Chapter II of the Act deals with the Travancore Devaswom. Section of the Act deals with vesting of administration ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 7 ``` in Board. As per Section 3, the administration of incorporated and unincorporated Devaswoms and of Hindu Religious Endowments and all their properties and funds as well as the fund constituted under the Devaswom Proclamation, 1097 M.E. and the surplus fund constituted under the Devaswom (Amendment) Proclamation, 1122 M.E. which were under the management of the Ruler of Travancore prior to the first day of July, 1949, except the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Sree Pandaravaka properties and all other properties and funds of the said temple, and the management of all institutions which were under the Devaswom Department shall vest in the Travancore Devaswom Board. 9. Section 15 of the Act deals with vesting of jurisdiction in the Board. As per sub-section (1) of Section 15, subject to the provisions of Chapter III of Part I, all rights, authority and jurisdiction belonging to or exercised by the Ruler of Travancore prior to the first day of July, 1949, in respect of Devaswoms and Hindu Religious Endowments shall vest in and be exercised by the Board in accordance with the provisions of this Act. As per subsection (2) of Section 15, the Board shall exercise all powers of direction, control and supervision over the incorporated and unincorporated Devasoms and Hindu Religious Endowments under their jurisdiction. ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 8 ``` 10. Section 15A of the Act, inserted by Act 5 of 2007, with effect from 12.04.2007, deals with duties of the Board. As per Section 15A, it shall be the duty of the Board to perform the following functions, namely, (i) to see that the regular traditional rites and ceremonies according to the practice prevalent in the religious institutions are performed promptly; (ii) to monitor whether the administrative officials and employees and also the employees connected with religious rites are functioning properly; (iii) to ensure proper maintenance and upliftment of the Hindu religious institutions; (iv) to establish and maintain proper facilities in the temples for the devotees. Section 16 of the Act deals with supervision and control by the Board. As per Section 16, the Board shall, subject to the provisions of Part I of the Act, exercise supervision and control over the acts and proceedings of all officers and servants of the Board and of the Devaswom Department. 11. Section 31 of the Act deals with management of Devaswoms. As per Section 31, subject to the provisions of PartI and the rules made thereunder, the Board shall manage the properties and affairs of the Devaswoms, both incorporated and unincorporated as heretofore, and arrange for the conduct of the daily worship and ceremonies and of the festivals in every temple ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 9 ``` according to its usage. 12. Section 31A of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950 (for brevity, ‘the Act’) deals with the formation of the Temple Advisory Committees. As per sub-section (1) of Section 31A of the Act, a Committee for each temple in the name ‘Temple Advisory Committee’ (name of the temple) may be constituted in order to ensure participation of Hindu devotees. As per sub-section (2) of Section 31A, the Temple Advisory Committee constituted under sub-section (1) may be approved by the Board. As per sub-section (3) of Section 31A, the composition of an Advisory Committee under sub-section (1) shall be in such manner as may be prescribed by the rules made by the Board, not inconsistent with any practice prevailing, if any. In terms of sub-section (3) of Section 31A of the Act, the Travancore Devaswom Board framed Rules for the formation of Temple Advisory Committees in the temples under the management of the Board (for brevity, ‘Ext.P2 Rules’). 13. Clause (2) of Ext.P2 Rules, which deals with objectives of the Temple Advisory Committees, reads thus; “2. ഉ്ദേശ്യ ലഷ്യ്ങൾ **,** ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ᩈിന േയ ും വിശ്വാസികളുടെയ ും പ ്ദ ാഗരി്ക ്ദവ് **,** ത്പവർ്ᩈി്ക ക ്ദഷ്ത്രാചാ ്ങളുും പൂജാത്കമ്ങളുും ശ്ാ്഼ത്ര സഹായക മായ വിധിത്പകാ ും നെ്ᩈ ് ിന് നിലപാെ കൾ ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 10 ``` സവീക ി്ക ക **.** ്ഷതര്ിനടേ തപശ രി് ു അഭിവൃ്ി് ു **,** പ ് ാഗരി് ു ്വ് പ്രികൾ ആവിഷ ി് കയ ു ് ാർഡിൽ സമർ്ി് കയ ു ് ാർഡിനടേ അന വാദ്്ാെ കൂെി തപാ്യാഗികമാ് കയ ു ടച്ുക **.** ്ദഷ്ത്ര ഉ്഼വും **,** ചിേ്ᩔ് **,** ആ്ടവി്ദശ്ഷും **,** മാസവി്ദശ്ഷും മ രലായ വി്ദശ്ഷാൽ അെിയ്ബി ്ങൾ ഡി്ᩔാർ്ടുടമന ഉ് യാഗ്ഽ ടെ **,** അന മരി വാ്ങി ഭുംഗിയായ ും ചി്ടയായ ും നെ്ᩈ ക ്ദഷ്ത്ര ദർശ്ന്ᩈിടന്ᩈ ്ര ഭ്വജന്ങൾ്ക് ്ദവ്ി സൗക യ്ങൾ ഒ ്ക ് ിന് ്ദഷ്ത്ര അധികാ ികടള സഹായി്ക ക **,** മന ഷയന്ᩖᩄ᪚്ക് ഉരക ് ്ᩈിൽ സനാരനധർ്മ്ങൾ **, , ,** ത്പച ി്ᩔി്ക ക. ധയാന്ദയാഗ്ങൾ നാമജപും വി്ദശ്ഷാൽ പൂജകൾ ഭ്വിത്പഭാഷണ്ങൾ ര െ്ങിയവ ഡി്ᩔാർ്ടുടമന **,** അന മരി്ദയാടെ സുംഘെി്ᩔി്ക ക ഭ്വജന്ങൾ്ക് അ്രദാനും ര െ്ങിയ ്ദസവനും നെ്ᩈ കയ ും അരിന് ത്പാ്ദചാദനും **,** നല്ക കയ ും ടച്യുക ്ദഷ്ത്രവ ും പ ിസ വ ും ശ് ചിയായി **,** സൂഷ്ി്ക ് ിന് ്ദവ്ി നെപെികൾ സവീക ി്ക ക മഹാ്ᩖാ ായ **,** ്ദഷ്ത്രവിശ്വാസിക്ദളയ ും ്ദഷ്ത്രകലാകാ ്ᩖാട യ ും ആദ ി്ക ക **,** ്ദഷ്ത്രസും ്യമായ ത്പവർ്ᩈന്ങളുും ഉ്഼വാദി അെിയ്ബി ്ങളുും സ ഗമമാ്ക ് ിന് ഡി്ᩔാർ്ടുടമന **,** അന മരി്ദയാടെ മാത്രും സുംഭാവനകൾ ഇ്ിദാനും എ്രിവ ഭ്വജന്ങളിൽ നി്ര ും സമാഹ ി്ക ക **.” (underline** **supplied)** 14. As per Clause (2) of Ext.P2 Rules one of the objectives of the Temple Advisory Committee is to formulate schemes for the betterment and development of the Temple, submit the same before the Board and execute it with the approval of the Board. The Advisory Committee shall collect donations from the devotees for the smooth functioning of the temple activities and festivals only with the permission of the Department. ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 11 ``` ## 15. Clause (3) of Ext.P2 Rules, which deals with ## membership, reads thus; “ 3. അുംഗരവും 3.1. ്ദഷ്ത്രാചാ ്ങളില ും വിത്ഗഹാ ാധനയില ും വിശ്ാസമ ്ള രാടെ സൂചി്ᩔി്ക ്ര വിഭാഗ്ങളിൽട്ᩔ്ട ത്പായപൂർ്ᩈിയായ ഏടരാ ഹി്മ വിന ും അുംഗരവ്ᩈിന് അർഹര ഉ്ിായി ി്ക ് ാണ്. (i) ്ദഷ്ത്രപ ിസ ്ᩈ് അ്ഞ് കി്ദലാമീ്റൽ ച ്റളവിന ്ളിൽ രാമസി്ക ്ര ഭ്വജന്ങൾ. (ii) ്ദഷ്രപാ ്മ യമായി ്യട്ᩔ്ട ക കളി്ദലാ ശ ത്പ് ളി്ദലാ രാമസി്ക ്ര ഭ്വജന്ങൾ. (iii) ്ഽി മായി ്ദഷ്ത്രസ്മർശ്നും നെ്ᩈ ്രവ ും ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ᩈിന്ടേയ ും വിശ്വാസികളു്ദെയ ും പ ്ദ ാഗരിᩄ᪚്ക ്ദവ് എെ ്ᩈ പേയ്ᩈ്ക സുംഭാവനകൾ ടചᩄ᪚രി്ടു്ളവ മായ ഭ്വജന്ങൾ. (iv) ്ദഷ്ത്രപ ിസ ്ᩈ് ജനി്ചുവളർ്രവ ും, ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ᩈിന്ടേ വികസന്ᩈില ും ആ്ദഘാഷ്ങളില ും പ്ഝാളികളാവ ്രവ ും എ്രാൽ ജീവി്ദരാപാധി്കായി മാേി രാമസി്ദ്ക് വ ്രവ മായ ഭ്വജന്ങൾ. 3.2. സവാഭാവദൂഷയ്ങൾ്ദ്കാ ദ പ്ദയാഗ്ങൾ്ദ്കാ സാ്മ്ᩈിക ത്കമ്ദ്കെ കൾ്ദ്കാ ശ്ിഷ്ി്കട്ᩔ്ടി ്ടു്ളവർ്ക ും ്ദഷ ത്രാപ് ശ്കസമിരികളിൽ ത്പവർ്ᩈി്ച് നിയമ ഹിരമായ ത്പവർ്ᩈന്ങളിൽ ഏർട്ᩔ്ടവർ്ക ും, ്ധിമാ്മയമ ്ളവർ്ക ും അുംഗരവ്ᩈിന് അർഹര ഉ്ിായി ി്ക ് ലല. 3.3. രി വിരാുംകൂർ ് വസവും ്ദ ാർഡ് നിഷ്കർഷി്ചി്ടു്ള ്ദ ാേ്ᩈിൽ 100/- ( ൂപ നൂ് മാത്രും) ത്പ്ദവശ്ന ീ്ദസാടൊ്ᩔും അുംഗരവ്ᩈിന് അ്ദപഷ് ഭ്വജന്ങളിൽ നി്ര ും സ്ᩃത്ഗൂ്ᩔ് ഓ ീസർ/ അഡ്മിനി്഼്ദത്െ്റീവ് ഓ ീസർ സവീക ി്ദ്ക്ിരാണ്. അ്ദപഷ് പ ി്ദശ്ാധി്ച് അുംഗരവും നൽക ് ിന് അർഹര ഉട്ി്ര് ്ദ ാധയട്ᩔ്ടാൽ സ്ᩃത്ഗൂ്ᩔ് ഓ ീസർ/അഡ്മിനി്഼്ദത്െ്റീവ് ഓ ീസർ സാഷ്യട്ᩔെ ്ᩈിയ അുംഗരവകാർഡ് അവർ്ക് നൽ്ദക്ിര മാണ്. ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 12 ``` 3.4. അുംഗരവും നൽക ് ിന് 3.1. ൽ നിഷ ർഷി്ചി്ടു്ള 4 വിഭാഗ്ᩈിൽട്ᩔ്ടവ ിൽ, എ്ഞിനീയർമാർ, ആർ്കിടെ്ᨴ്, , ചാർ്ദ്ടഡ് അ്കൗ്ിന വ്കീല്ᩖാർ, ഉയർ്ര ഉ് യാഗ്ങളിലി ്ര് വി മി്ചവർ ര െ്ങിയവട സ്ᩃത്ഗൂ്ᩔ് ഓ ീസർമാർ ്ദന ി്ട് കാണ കയ ും ത്പരിവികസന കാ യ്ങളിൽ അവട അവർ്ക് രാത്പ യമ ട്ി്ര് ക്ിാൽ അുംഗ്ങളാ്ക ് ിന ്ള നെപെികൾ സവീക ി്ദ്ക്ിര മാണ്. 3.5. ്ദഷ്രഉപ് ശ്ക സമിരിടയ ടര ടെെ ്ക ് ിന് അുംഗരവകാർഡ് ലഭി്ക ്ര അുംഗ്ങടള ഉൾട്കാ്ളി്ചുടകാ്ി ്ള ഒ ജി്ദേർഡ് മ്ണലും ഉ്ിായി ി്ക ് ാണ്. 3.6. ഒ ്ദഷ ത്രാപ് ശ്ക സമിരിയിൽ അുംഗമാക ്ര വയ്വി ് വസവും ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ കീെില ്ള മ്റ് ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ങളിടല്ദയാ ഏടര്ഝില ും സവകാ യ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ങളിടല്ദയാ ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരിയി്ദലാ മ്റു ഭ ണസമിരിയി്ദലാ അുംഗമായി ി്കാൻ പാെിലല." 16. Clause (3) of Ext.P2 Rules makes it explicitly clear that the membership in ‘registered mandalam’ is mainly for the devotees who are residing within a distance of 5kms from the temple, who are regular worshipers and had contributed considerably for the betterment of the temple and the devotees. Sub-clauses (i) to (iv) of Clause (3) of Ext.P2 Rules deal with class of persons who are entitled to get membership. 17. In **Santharam Roy T.S. v. Travancore Devaswom Board and others [2022 (2) KHC 595 (DB)]** this Court held that, the provisions under Clause (3) of the Rules makes it explicitly clear that the membership in ‘registered mandalam’ is mainly for the devotees who are residing within a distance of 5 ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 13 ``` kms from the temple, who are regular worshipers and had contributed considerably for the betterment of the temple and the devotees. Sub-clauses (i) to (iv) of Clause (3) of the Rules deal with class of persons who are entitled to get membership. For constituting the Temple Advisory Committee, the devotees will have to be enrolled as members of ‘registered mandalam’. The election of members to the Temple Advisory Committee is made from among the members of ‘registered mandalam’ present in the meeting convened by the Assistant Commissioner of the Group, as provided under Clause (5) of the Rules. 18. Clause (11) of Ext.P2 Rules, which deals with term of office of the Temple Advisory Committee, reads thus; “11. കാലാവധി ്ദഷ്ത്ര ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ ത്പവർ്ᩈനകാലാവധി സമിരിടയ ഡി്ᩔാർ്ടുടമന അുഗീക ി് രീയരി മ രൽ ്ി് വർഷ്ാലമായി ി് ു, വികസനതപവർ്ന്ളുടെ ്പ ി്ലാ, ഒെി്ുകൂൊനാകാ് ചെ് കളുടെ ്പ ി്ലാ ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ കാലാവധി ഒ വർഷും കൂെി ദീർഘി്ᩔി്ച് നൽക വാൻ ് വസവും ക്മിഷണർ്ക ും വീ്ി ും ഒ വർഷും കൂെി ദീർഘി്ᩔി്ചു നൽക വാൻ ് വസവും ്ദ ാർഡിന ും അധികാ മ ്ിായി ി്ക ് ാണ്. എ്രാൽ ഉപ് ശകസമിരിയ ടെ കാലാവധി ് വർഷ്ിൽ കൂെ രൽ ദീർഘി്ി്ച് നൽക വാൻ പാെ ്രലല.” (underline supplied) 19. As per Clause (11) of Ext.P2 Rules, the term of the Temple Advisory Committee shall be two years from the date of approval of the Committee by the Department. The Devaswom ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 14 ``` Commissioner is empowered to extend the term of the Temple Advisory Committee for a further period of one year on the ground of any development works or unavoidable rituals. On the aforesaid grounds the 1[st] respondent Board can extend the term for a further period of one year. Clause (11) makes it explicitly clear that the term of the Temple Advisory Committee shall not be extended beyond two years. 20. In **Chandu K. v. Travancore Devaswom Board [2021 (3) KHC 379]** a Division Bench of this Court held that, with the insertion of Section 31A to the Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act the formation of Temple Advisory Committees in temples has become statutory. In the said decision, the Division Bench noticed that, the Travancore Devaswom Board, in exercise of the rule making power under clause (a) of subsection (2) of Section 35 of the Act, has framed rules for the formation of Temple Advisory Committees in temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board and this Court has approved the draft bye-laws by the order dated 03.11.2011 in DBA No. 153 of 2009. Clause (11) of the Rules deals with the term of office of the Temple Advisory Committee. As per Clause (11), the term of office of the Temple Advisory Committee shall be two years from the date of approval of the election by the Devaswom Commissioner. ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 15 ``` The Devaswom Commissioner has the authority to extend the term of the committee by one year in case of development works or unavoidable rituals in the temple. The Board will have the power to extend the term by a further period of one year. The term shall not to be extended beyond the period of two years. Thus, the term of the committees is statutorily fixed. The term can be extended by one year or up to two years under certain unavoidable circumstances and no longer. The object of providing duration of office of Temple Advisory Committees in the approved bye-laws is to see that timely elections are held and the constitution of the Committees are not delayed. The power of the Devaswom Commissioner or the Board to extend the term of the Temple Advisory Committee, which is fixed as per the approved bye-laws, shall not be exercised as a matter of course. They shall call for report regarding the developmental work going on in the temple concerned or the unavoidable rituals to be carried out in the temple concerned and apply their mind to the materials and form a decision as to whether extension of term has to be given or not. 21. Clause (12) of Ext.P2 Rules, which deals with powers and rights of the Devaswom Board, reads thus; - "12. ് വസവും ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ അധികാ അവകാശ ൾ ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 16 ``` ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരിയിടല അുംഗ്ങളുടെ ്ദയാഗയര നി്ᩐയി്ക വാന ും സമിരിയ ടെ കാലാവധി നി്ᩐയി്കാന ും, വയ്വമായ കാ ണ്ങളുടെ അെി്ഽാന്ᩈിൽ അുംഗ്ങടള സമിരിയിൽ നി്ര് ് നീ്കും ടച്യാന മ ്ള അധികാ ും വസവും ക്മീഷണർ്ക് ഉ്ിായി ി്ക ് ാണ്. ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ ത്പവർ്ᩈന്ങൾ ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ᩈിന േയ ും, ഹി്മ മര വിശ്വാസ്ᩈിന േയ ും, ് വസവും ്ദ ാർഡിന േയ ും രാല്പ യ്ങൾ്ക് വി ്ധമായി വ ്ര അവസ ്ᩈില ും വയ്വമായ സാ്മ്ᩈിക ത്കമ്ദ്കെ കൾ ത്ശ യിൽടപെ ്ര അവസ ്ᩈില ും സമിരിടയ പൂർണമായ ും ് നീ്കും ടച്യു് ിന ്ള പ ിപൂർ്ണ അധികാ ും വസവും ക്മീഷണർ്ക് ഉ്ിായി ി്ക ് ാണ്.” 22. As per Clause (12) of Ext.P2 Rules, the Devaswom Commissioner shall have the power to determine the qualification of the members of the Advisory Committee, the term of the Advisory Committee and also to remove the members of the Committee on the basis of specific reasons. In the event of the activities of the Advisory Committee being contrary to the interest of the Temple, Hindu faith or the Devaswom Board, or in the event of specific financial irregularities, the Commissioner shall have the absolute power to remove the Advisory Committee. 23. The document marked as Ext.P8 is a lawyer notice caused to be issued by the petitioner, on the 1[st] respondent Board and its officials. If the petitioner is having any grievance against the membership of respondents 5 to 8 in the registered mandalam and also as the office bearers of the Temple Advisory Committee ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 17 ``` of Pattanakkad Sree Mahadeva Temple it is for him to raise that objection, in an appropriate manner, by submitting a proper representation before the 2[nd] respondent Devaswom Commissioner, in which event, the said respondent shall consider the same with notice to respondents 5 to 8 and also respondents 3 and 4 and take an appropriate decision in the matter taking note of the statutory provisions referred to hereinbefore. 24. In such circumstances, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions; (i) within three weeks from the date of receipt of certified copy of the judgment, the petitioner shall submit a proper representation before the 2[nd] respondent Devaswom Commissioner against a membership of respondents 5 to 8 in the Temple Advisory Committee of Pattanakkad Sree Mahadeva Temple raising appropriate contentions. (ii) On receipt of such a representation, the 2[nd] respondent Devaswom Commissioner shall consider the same and to pass appropriate orders therein, with notice to the petitioner, respondents 5 to 8 and respondents 3 and 4 and after affording them to an opportunity of being heard, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of such representation. 25. The learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board shall serve a copy of the order of the Board ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 18 ``` whereby approval has been granted to the Temple Advisory Committee of Pattanakkad Sree Mahadeva Temple to the learned counsel for the petitioner, so as to enable the petitioner to produce the same along with the representation to be made before the 2[nd] respondent Commissioner. The legal and factual contentions raised by the petitioner are left open to be raised before the 2[nd] respondent at the appropriate stage. ## **Sd/-** **ANIL K. NARENDRAN, JUDGE** **Sd/-** **VIJU ABRAHAM, JUDGE** pm ``` WP(C) NO. 24813 OF 2023 19 ``` ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 24813/2023 PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS`** ``` Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE MEMBERSHIP RECEIPT OF THE PETITIONER DATED 05.09.2017 ``` - **`Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT BOARD DATED 30.11.2011`** - **`Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PORTION OF THE VOTERS' LIST OF THE THURAVOOR MAHAKSHETHRA TEMPLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE`** - **`Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF THE ORDER DATED 15.02.2019 ISSUED BY THE JOINT REGISTRAR (GENERAL), CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, ALAPPUZHA`** - **`Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 12.06.2022 ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH THE KALASA MAHOLSAVAM OF THE TEMPLE OF THE MENASSERY KUDUMBA YOGAM`** - **`Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED IN MATHRUBHOOMI DAILY (THE RELEVANT PAGE) DATED 27.02.2023 IN RESPECT OF THE ELECTION RESULT OF THE COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK (CARD BANK), CHERTHALA`** - **`Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF GENERAL BODY NOTICE ISSUED BY THE 8TH RESPONDENT ALONG WITH THE NAME OF MEMBERS WHO HAVE PAID THE SHARE CAPITAL.`** - **`Exhibit P8`** - **`TRUE COPY OF THE LAWYER NOTICE DATED 13.O2.2023 ISSUED BY ADV. JOJI K. ANTONY`**