S. Viswanathan and others v. Travancore Devaswom Board and others (Chettikulangara Devi Temple case)

``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ``` PRESENT ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN ``` ``` & ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G. GIRISH ``` ``` THURSDAY, THE 2[ND] DAY OF NOVEMBER 2023 / 11TH KARTHIKA, 1945 ``` ``` WP(C) NO. 1608OF 2023 ``` ## **`PETITIONERS:`** - **`1 S. VISWANATHAN,AGED 63 YEARS S/O. SUSEELAN, THALEERETH HOUSE, KADAVOOR KARA, KARIPUZHA P.O., MAVELIKARA, PIN - 690103`** - **`2 R. REGHU, AGED 59 YEARS`** ``` S/O.RAMAKRISHNAN, EDAYIL MANNOOTHARAYIL, MATTOM NORTH KARA, THATTARAMPALAM P.O., MAVELIKARA, PIN - 690103 ``` ``` 3KANNIMEL NARAYANAN,AGED 74 YEARS S/O. RAGHAVAN, KANNIMEL, KANNAMANGALAM NORTH, CHETTIKKULANGARA (PO), MAVELIKARA, PIN - 690106 ``` ``` 4R. HARIDASAN NAIR, AGED 73 YEARS S/O. R. RAGHAVAN UNNITHAN, SREEHARI KARIPPOLIL, EREZHA SOUTH KARA, CHETTIKULANGARA P.O., MAVELIKARA, PIN - 690106 ``` ``` BY ADVS.K.SASIKUMAR ``` ``` S.ARAVIND ``` ``` P.S.RAGHUKUMAR ``` ``` T.KRISHNANUNNI (SR.)(K/280/1973) ``` ``` RESPONDENTS: ``` ``` 1TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, DEVASWOM HEAD QUARTERS, NANTHANCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003 ``` 2 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ``` 2DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, DEVASWOM HEAD QUARTERS, NANTHANCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003 ``` - **`3 ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, MAVELIKARA GROUP, MAVELIKARA PO, PIN - 690101`** ``` 4ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER CHETTIKULANGARA DEVASWOM, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, CHETTIKULANGARA PO., PIN - 690106 ``` - **`5 SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE (VIGILANCE AND SECURITY)`** ``` TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, NANTHANCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695033 ``` ``` 6DIRECTOR KERALA STATE AUDIT DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003 ``` - **`7 CHETTIKULANGARA SREE DEVI VILLASAM HINDU MATHA CONVENTION TRUST`** ``` REG. NO. 36/19, CHETTIKULANGARA PO, MAVELIKARA, ALAPUZHA DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY M. MANOJ KUMAR., PIN - 690106 ``` - **`8 KAITHA THEKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO. 18/97, KAITHA THEKKU, CHETTIKULANGARA PO., PIN-690 106. REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY RAMACHANDRAN`** ``` 9KAITHA VADAKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO. 177, KAITHA VADAKKU, CHETTIKULANGARA PO., PIN-690 106. REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY VISHNU ``` ``` 10KANNAMANGALAM THEKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO. 4/97, CHETTIKULANGARA PO. : 690 106. REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY RAJAN ``` - **`11 KANNAMANGALAM VADAKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO. IV/40/07, CHETTIKULANGARA PO. : 690 106. REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY SHAJI`** - **`12 PELA. N.S.S. KARAYOGAM PELA THATTARAMPALAM PO, 690 103 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, VINOD PILLAI`** - **`13 EREZHA THEKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM A 3138/06, CHETTIKULANGARA PO., PIN: 690 106.`** 3 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ## **`REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY VINOD`** - **`14 EREZHA VADAKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO. 41, CHETTIKULANGARA PO. PIN: 690 106. REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY VINOD KUMAR`** - **`15 NADAKKAVU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO. 1981/IV/12, PERINGALA P.O. 690 559, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY RADHAKRISHNAN`** ``` 16MENAMPALLI HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO. 18/80, PATHIYOOR PO, PIN 690 106, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY KRISHNA PRASAD ``` - **`17 KADAVOOR HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO. 131/2014, KARIPUZHA PO., PIN 690 103 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY HARIKUMAR`** - **`18 ANJILIPRA HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO. 134/2014, THATTARAMPALAM PO, PIN 690 103 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY GURU PRASAD`** - **`19 MATTOM NORTH HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO. 133/2014 MATTOM NORTH, THATTARAMPALAM PO, PIN 690 103 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, SASIDHARAN NAIR`** - **`20 MATTOM SOUTH HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO. 13/2014, MATTOM SOUTH, THATTARAMPALAM PO, PIN 690 103 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY ANIRUDHAN`** ``` BY ADVS. ``` ``` G.SANTHOSHKUMAR SANTHOSH KUMAR G HARIDAS P ``` ``` S.SUJIN ``` ``` LEJO JOSEPH GEORGE(K/357-C/2017) K.B.PRADEEP ``` ``` K.MOHANAKANNAN ``` ``` BIJU HARIHARAN(K/1767/1995) SHIJIMOL M.MATHEW(K/907/2005) P.C.SHIJIN(K/397/2012) RISHIKESH HARIDAS(K/000630/2018) SUJIN S ``` ``` B.G.HARINDRANATH AMITH KRISHNAN H. ``` ``` M.GOPIKRISHNAN D.S.THUSHARA(K/76/2010) RAJASREE T.R.(K/347/2004) ROSHIN MARIAM JACOB(K/1017/2011) ``` 4 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 02.11.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).4048/2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` 5 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ``` PRESENT ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN ``` ``` & ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G. GIRISH ``` ``` THURSDAY, THE 2[ND] DAY OF NOVEMBER 2023/11TH KARTHIKA, 1945 ``` ``` WP(C) NO. 4048OF 2023 ``` ``` PETITIONER: ``` ``` GOPAKUMAR ``` ``` AGED 51 YEARS S/O. SREEDHARAN, PERATHERIL, ANJILIPRA, THATTARAMBALAM P.O., MAVELIKARA, ALAPPUZHA-, PIN - 690103 ``` ``` BY ADVS. ``` ``` T.S.HARIKUMAR P.B.SAHASRANAMAN ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** ``` 1THE TRAVANCORE DEVOSWOM BOARD REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY DEVASWOM HEAD QUARTERS, NANTHANCODE, KAWDIAR POST, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003 2THE DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, DEVASWOM HEAD QUARTERS, NANTHANCODE, KAWDIAR POST, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003 3ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, MAVELIKARA GROUP, MAVELIKARA P.O., ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 690101 4ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER CHETTIKULANGARA DEVASEOM, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, CHETTIKULANGARA P.O., ALAPUZHA, PIN - 690106 ``` 6 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 - **`5 SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE (VIGILANCE AND SECURITY)`** ``` TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, DEVASWOM HEAD QUARTERS, NANTHANCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695033 ``` ``` 6THE DIRECTOR LOCAL FUND AUDIT DEPARTMENT, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, DEVASWOM HEAD QUARTERS, NANTHANCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-, PIN - 695033 ``` - **`7 SREEDEVI VILASAM HINDUMATHA CONVENTION CHETTIKULANGARA, CHETTIKULANGARA P.O., MAVELIKARA, ALAPPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, PIN - 690106`** - **`8 KAITHA THEKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO.18/97 KAITHA THEKKU, CHETTIKULANGARA P.O., ALAPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY RAMACHANDRAN, PIN - 690106`** - **`9 KAITHA VADAKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO.177 KAITHA VADAKKU, CHETTIKULANGARA P.O., ALAPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY VISHNU., PIN - 690106`** - **`10 KANNAMANGALAM THEKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO.4/97 CHETTIKULANGARA P.O., ALAPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY RAJAN., PIN - 690106`** - **`11 KANNAMANGALAM VADAKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO.IV/40/07`** ``` CHETTIKULANGARA P.O., ALAPPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY SHAJI, PIN - 690106 ``` - **`12 PELA N.S.S. KARAYOGAM PELA THATTARAMPALAM P.O., ALAPPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY VINO PILLAI., PIN - 690103`** - **`13 EREZHA THEKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM A 3138/06 CHETTIKULANGARA P.O., ALAPPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY VINOD, PIN - 690106`** - **`14 EREZHA VADAKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO.41 CHETTIKULANGARA P.O., ALAPPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY VINOD KUMAR., PIN - 690106`** - **`15 NADAKKAVU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO.1981/IV/12 PERINGALA P.O., KAYAMKULAM, ALAPPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY RADHAKRISHNAN., PIN`** 7 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 - **`690559`** - **`16 MENAMPALLI HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO.18/80 PATHIYOOR P.O., CHETTIKULANGARA, ALAPPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETAY KRISHNA PRASAD, PIN - 690106`** - **`17 KADAVOOR HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO.131/2014 KARIPUZHA P.O., THATTARAMBALAM, ALAPPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY HARIKUMAR, PIN - 690103`** - **`18 ANJILIPRA HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO.134/2014 THATTARAMBALAM P.O., ALAPPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY GURU PRASAD, PIN - 690103`** - **`19 MATTOM NORTH HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO.133/2014 MATTOM NORTH, THATTARAMPALAM P.O., ALAPPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY SASIDHARAN NAIR, PIN - 690103`** - **`20 MATTOM SOUTH HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM NO.13/2014 MATTOM SOUTH, THATTARAMPALAM P.O., ALAPPUZHA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY ANIRUDHAN., PIN - 690103`** ``` BY ADVS. G.SANTHOSH KUMAR (P). HARIDAS P BIJU HARIHARAN(K/1767/1995) SHIJIMOL M.MATHEW(K/907/2005) P.C.SHIJIN(K/397/2012) RISHIKESH HARIDAS(K/000630/2018) ``` ## **`OTHER PRESENT:`** ``` SRI S.RAJMOHAN - SR GOVERNMENT PLEADER ; SRI G.SANTHOSH KUMAR- STANDING COUNSEL - TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 02.11.2023, ALONG WITH WP(C).1608 OF 2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` 8 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ## **JUDGMENT** ## **Anil K. Narendran, J.** The issue raised in these writ petitions centers around Chettikulangara Devi Temple, a temple under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board, under Mavelikkara Group. 2. W.P(C) No.1608 of 2023 is filed by the petitioners, who are the devotees of Chettikulangara Devi Temple, seeking a writ of certiorari to quash Ext.P3 proceedings dated 28.10.2022 of the 1[st] respondent Travancore Devaswom Board, Ext.P4 bye-laws of Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust (Temple Advisory Committee) and Ext.P5 proceedings dated 10.11.2022 of the 1[st] respondent Travancore Devaswom Board. The petitioners have also sought for a writ of mandamus commanding respondents 1 to 4 to ignore the 7[th] respondent Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust and constitute a Temple Advisory Committee for Chettikkulangara Devaswom, after conducting election by the 1[st] respondent Board from among the registered electorate of the members formed following the provisions under Clause 3 of Ext.P1 Rules (bye-laws) framed under sub-section (3) of Section 31A of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950 and following strictly the 9 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 procedure for election as prescribed under the said Rules; a declaration that the 7[th] respondent Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust shall not take up any action or engage in any activity in the name of Chettikulangara Devaswom and within its premises and that the said respondent or its members shall not interfere with administration, functioning, rituals or with anything connected with Chettikulangara Devaswom; a writ of mandamus commanding the 5[th] respondent Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police), Travancore Devaswom Board to conduct an enquiry into the affairs of the 7[th] respondent, the activities conducted by it in the previous years in the name of Chettikulangara Devaswom, in the temple premises, the wealth in the form of properties, buildings, bank deposits and others amassed by it from the collections of devotees and file a report before this Court, within a time to be fixed by this Court; to direct the 7[th] respondent to transfer all its assets including bank deposits to Chettikulangara Devaswom; a writ of mandamus commanding respondents 1 to 4 to evolve appropriate bye-laws in place of Ext.P4, in consonance with Ext.P1 Rules (bye-laws) and incorporating effective provisions without any racial/caste discrimination for 10 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 election of the representatives from each of the 13 karas, to be conducted by the Travancore Devaswom Board, while recognising the 7[th] respondent as the Temple Advisory Committee of Chettikulangara Devaswom; to conduct election to the Temple Advisory Committee according to the bye-laws, as evolved following the directions of this Court in consonance with Ext.P1 Rules (bye-laws) approved by this Court; and an order of injunction restraining the 7[th] respondent from operating its bank accounts. 2.1. On 19.01.2023, when this writ petition came up for admission, the learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board entered appearance for respondents 1 to 5 and the learned Senior Government Pleader for the 6[th] respondent. Urgent notice by special messenger was ordered to the 7[th] respondent and also to additional respondents 8 to 20 by special messenger, returnable by 23.01.2023. 3. W.P(C) No.4048 of 2023 is one filed by another devotee of Chettikulangara Devi Temple, seeking a writ of certiorari to call for the records leading to Exts.P4, P5 and P6 proceedings of the 1[st] respondent and to quash the same; to declare that the 7[th] respondent Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust is not entitled to be 11 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 declared as the Temple Advisory Committee of Chettikulangara Devaswom, as Ext.P5 bye-laws and Ext.P6 amended bye-laws are not in conformity with Ext.P1 Rules (bye-laws) framed under sub-section (3) of Section 31A of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950; a writ of mandamus commanding respondents 1 to 4 to constitute a Upadesaka Samithi (Temple Advisory Committee) in Chettikulangara Devaswom, in accordance with Ext.P1 Rules (bye-laws); a writ of mandamus commanding respondents 1 to 4 to take steps to get audited the affairs of the 7[th] respondent Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust and the money collected by them till date from the devotees on behalf of the Chettikulangara Devi Temple and for the performance of the rituals in the Temple; and a writ of mandamus commanding the 5[th] respondent Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police), Travancore Devaswom Board, to conduct an enquiry regarding the affairs of the 7[th] respondent and the wealth amassed by the said respondent in the name of Chettikulangara Devi Temple and submit a report before this Court. 3.1. On 07.02.2023, when this writ petition came up for admission, the learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore 12 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 Devaswom Board took notice for respondents 1 to 4. The learned Senior Government Pleader for respondents 5 and 6. Adv.P. Haridas, the learned counsel entered appearance for the 7[th] respondent. Urgent notice by special messenger was ordered to respondents 8 to 20. 3.2. By the order dated 07.02.2023, this Court directed the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board to make available for the perusal of this Court, the files relating to the order passed by the Board, invoking its powers under Clause 21 of Ext.P1 Rules (bye-laws) regarding formation of Temple Advisory Committees in the temples under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board, granting approval for the 7[th] respondent Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust, and the writ petition was ordered to be listed on 10.02.2023, along with W.P.(C)No.1608 of 2023. 4. On 10.02.2023, when these writ petitions came up for consideration, after considering the rival contentions, this Court passed a detailed order, which reads thus ; “W.P.(C)No.1608 of 2023 is filed by the devotees of Chettikulangara Devi Temple, which is a major temple under the management of Travancore Devaswom Board, seeking a writ of certiorari to quash Exts.P3, P4 and P5 13 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 proceedings issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board and a writ of mandamus commanding respondents 1 to 4 to ignore the 7[th] respondent Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasom Hindu Matha Convention Trust and constitute a Temple Advisory Committee for the said temple by conducting election from the registered electorate of members formed following the provisions under Clause 3 of Ext.P1 rules regarding formation of Temple Advisory Committees in temples under the management of Travancore Devaswom Board, which is one issued in exercise of the powers under Section 31A(3) of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950. The petitioners have also sought for other consequential reliefs. 2. W.P.(C)No.4048 of 2023 is filed by another devotee of Chettikulangara Devi, seeking similar reliefs. 3. In W.P.(C)No.1608 of 2023, the 7[th] respondent has filed a detailed counter affidavit. 4. Today, when these matters were taken up for consideration in the forenoon, the learned counsel for the 7[th] respondent in W.P.(C)No.1608 of 2023 was directed to furnish the bank account particulars of “Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust” and also “Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention”, by 2.00 p.m. 5. When these matters are taken up again at 2.30 p.m., the learned counsel for the 7[th] respondent furnished the bank account particulars of “Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust”, which reads thus; 1. Federal Bank, Chettikulangara Branch, A/C No:18630200000994 14 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 2. State Bank of India, Chettikulangara Branch, A/C No:67185750737 3. Federal Bank, Chettikulangara Branch, A/C No:18630200001026 4. Federal Bank, Chettikulangara Branch, A/C No:18636900000101 6. The learned counsel for the 7[th] respondent would submit that an additional affidavit of the 7[th] respondent furnishing those details will be placed on record by 14.02.2023. 7. During the course of arguments, the learned counsel for the petitioner in W.P.(C)No.1608 of 2023, would submit that the 7[th] respondent is collecting huge amounts from the devotees in connection with Kumbabharani. The learned counsel for the 7[th] respondent would submit that the aforesaid submission is without any basis. 8. The learned counsel for the petitioner in W.P.(C)No.1608 of 2023 would point out the stand taken by the 7[th] respondent in paragraph 24 of the counter affidavit, wherein it is stated as follows; “The 7[th] respondent as well as the Temple Advisory Committee are not one but different. 7[th] respondent is the apex body of 13 karas and its organizations constituted by separate registered bye-laws. Whereas, the Temple Advisory Committee is to be constituted in accordance with Section 31A of Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950 and in consonance with the bye-laws approved by the 1[st] respondent.” 9.The temple in question is under the management of Travancore Devaswom Board, in which a Temple Advisory Committee has to be constituted under Section 31A of Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, read with Ext.P1 rules framed under of Section 31A(3). The bye-laws of a Samithi which is granted recognition, in 15 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 exercise of the special powers of the Board under Clause (21) of Ext.P1 rules, shall not be in conflict with the provisions contained in the bye-laws in the said rules. 10.From the submissions made by the learned counsel for the 7[th] respondent, we notice that, based on the orders issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board, in exercise of its powers under Clause (21) of Ext.P1 rules, a committee which has to act as the Temple Advisory Committee of Chettikulangara Devi Temple is yet to be constituted. According to the learned counsel for the 7[th] respondent, the said respondent is acting as the Temple Advisory Committee of Chettikulangara Devi Temple. 11. In terms of the order of this Court dated 07.02.2023 in W.P.(C)No.4048 of 2023, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board has made available for the perusal of this Court the files relating to the order passed by the Board, invoking its powers under Clause (21) of Ext.P1 rules. 12. Registry to retain that file in the safe custody of Registrar (Judicial). 13. From the submissions made at the Bar, we notice that the temple festival in connection with Kumbabharani has already commenced. The learned counsel for the 7[th] respondent would undertake that the said respondent shall not deal with the amounts available in the bank accounts referred to in paragraph 5 of this order. The aforesaid undertaking made on behalf of the 7[th] respondent is recorded. 14. Considering the issue involved, we deem it appropriate to direct the personal presence of respondents 3 and 4 in Court, on 14.02.2023 at 2.00 p.m. They shall also make available for the perusal of this 16 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 Court the files relating to Mahabharathayaknjam in Chettikulangara Devi Temple and also the files relating to the vigilance enquiry, which is being conducted against the 7[th] respondent. List on 14.02.2023.” 5. The said order was followed by the order dated ## 14.02.2023, which reads thus; “In terms of the order of this Court dated 10.02.2023, the 3[rd] respondent Assistant Commissioner and the 4[th] respondent Administrative Officer are personally present in Court. They have explained the state of affairs in Chettikulangara Devi Temple. 2. We have also perused the files handed over by the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board, which is kept under safe custody of Registrar (Judicial). The said file contains a report of the Vigilance and Security Officer, Travancore Devswom Board, regarding Annadhanam conducted at Chettikulangara Devi Temple by the 7[th] respondent Chettikulangara Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust. 3. On 10.02.2023, when this matter came up for consideration, the learned counsel for the 7[th] respondent has furnished the bank account particulars of Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust, which we have noted in paragraph 5 of the order. In paragraph 13 of that order, we have recorded the undertaking on behalf of the 7[th] respondent that the said respondent shall not deal with the amount available in the bank accounts referred to in paragraph 5 of the order. 4. Today, during the course of arguments, the learned 17 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 counsel for the 7[th] respondent would submit that, in connection with the ongoing Kumbabarani festival, the 7[th] respondent has to spend amounts for various activities. The learned counsel would submit that the 7[th] respondent shall file an application before this Court, seeking permission to withdraw amounts from those accounts, in order to meet the day to day expenses in connection with the temple festival. 5.List this matter tomorrow (15.02.2023) at 2.00 p.m. Personal presence of the 3[rd] respondent Assistant Commissioner and the 4[th] respondent Administrative Officer is dispensed with.” 6. The said order was followed by the order dated ## 15.02.2023, which reads thus ; “The 7[th] respondent has filed this petition seeking permission to operate its accounts with Federal Bank Ltd., Chettikulangara Branch. 2. This Writ Petition was filed challenging legality of the 7[th] respondent acting as the Temple Advisory Committee of Chettikulangara Devi Temple, which is under the administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board. On 10.02.2023, after hearing the submissions of the learned counsel on either side, we have instructed the learned counsel appearing for the 7[th] respondent to furnish particulars of the bank accounts maintained by the 7[th] respondent, Chettikulangara Sree Devi Villasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust. On the same day, the learned counsel for the 7[th] respondent furnished the details of the bank accounts. On 13.02.2022, the Secretary of the 7[th] respondent has placed on record an affidavit also stating the details of its bank account. On 10.02.2023, the learned 18 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 counsel appearing for the 7[th] respondent undertook that the said respondent will not deal with amounts available with its bank accounts and the same has been recorded. 3. On 14.02.2023, the learned counsel appearing for the 7[th] respondent pointed out the handicaps being occasioned on account of non-operation of the bank accounts and the consequent difficulties in carrying out urgent works in connection with the annual festival in Chettikulangara Temple. The learned counsel expressed the desire of the 7[th] respondent to submit an application seeking permission to operate the said bank accounts. In terms of the said submission, the 7[th] respondent has filed I.A.No.2 of 2023. 4. It is pointed out that the festival in Chettikulangara Temple in connection with Kumba Bharani is going on and several urgent works in connection with the festival are to be carried out, for which money have to be withdrawn from the accounts of the 7[th] respondent. The 7[th] respondent, in those premise, seeks permission to operate the said bank accounts. 5. Heard the learned counsel for the writ petitioners, the learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board, the learned counsel appearing for the 7[th] respondent and also the learned Senior Counsel/learned counsel appearing for other party respondents. 6. The details of the amounts available with various accounts of the 7[th] respondent are given below:- |Sl.No.|Account Particulars|Balance| |---|---|---| |1|A/c No.18630200000994 of<br>Federal Bank, Chettikulangara<br>Branch|Rs.1,51,124.60| |2|A/c No.67185750737 of State<br>Bank of India, Chettikulangara<br>Branch.|Rs.76,031.04| |3|A/c No.18630200001026 of|Rs.0.00| 19 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 Federal Bank, Chettikulangara Branch 4 A/c No.18636900000101 of Rs.0.00 Federal Bank, Chettikulangara Branch 7. The learned counsel appearing on either side agree that for the smooth conduct of the festival in Chettikulangara Temple all necessary arrangements are to be done in a time bound manner, which involve expenditure of considerable amount. The question whether the 7[th] respondent can be acted as the Temple Advisory Committee and in that capacity meet such expenses is very much in dispute in this Writ Petition and also W.P.(C) No.4048 of 2023. Whether the 7[th] respondent can have permission to collect funds from the devotees in order to meet the expenditure of the Temple festival also is in question. 8. All the same, it is the concern of everyone that there shall not be any hindrance to the conduct of the festival in an appropriate manner. The 7[th] respondent had been involving in the conduct of the Temple during the previous years. In view of the undertaking of the 7[th] respondent, it is not able to withdraw any amount from the aforementioned bank accounts. In such circumstances, we are of the view that in order for meeting the expenses of the Temple festival alone, the 7[th] respondent can be allowed to operate the said bank accounts. But, every withdrawal shall be with the concurrence of the 4[th] respondent Administrative Officer of the Chettikulangara Devi Temple. Every item of expenditure and income are to be duly accounted also. 9. Accordingly, this petition is allowed. The petitioner/7[th] respondent is allowed to operate the bank accounts 20 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 mentioned above, subject to the condition that every withdrawal of amount from those accounts shall be concurred by the 4[th] respondent Administrative Officer, and each item of expenditure and receipt shall be accounted by the 7[th] respondent on day-to-day basis, which shall be subject to audit. He hasten to add that the annual festival in Chettikulangara Devi Temple being in the interest of each and every devotee, all parties to the Writ Petition shall cooperate for a smooth conduct of the festival.” 7. In W.P.(C)No.1608 of 2023, the 1[st] respondent has filed a counter affidavit dated 06.02.2023. The 7[th] respondent has filed a counter affidavit dated 04.02.2023, producing therewith Exts.R7(a) to R7(ae) documents. The petitioner has filed a reply affidavit dated 26.07.2023, producing therewith Exts.P15 to P22 documents. The 15[th] respondent has filed a counter affidavit dated 26.07.2023, producing therewith Ext.R15(a) document. The 17[th] respondent has filed a counter affidavit dated 26.07.2023 producing therewith Ext.R17(a) document. The 18[th] respondent has filed a counter affidavit dated 20.07.2023, producing therewith Ext.R18(a) document. Respondents 1 to 4 have filed an additional counter affidavit dated 29.07.2023. The 19[th] respondent has filed a counter affidavit dated 18.07.2023 producing therewith Ext.R19(A) and R19(B) documents. The 7[th] respondent has filed an additional affidavit dated 30.07.2023, producing therewith Ext.R7(ag) 21 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 document, to the reply filed by the petitioner dated 27.07.2023. 8. In W.P.(C)No.4048 of 2023 the 7[th] respondent has filed a counter affidavit dated 04.12.2023, producing therewith Exts.R7(a) to R7(ae) documents. 9. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners in the respective writ petitions, the learned Senior Government Pleader, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board and also the respective Senior Counsel/counsel for the party respondents. 10. The major issue that requires consideration in these writ petitions is regarding the constitution of a Temple Advisory Committee in Chettikulangara Devi Temple in terms of Ext.P1 Rules (bye-laws) framed under sub-section (3) of Section 31A of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, with specific reference to Clause 21 of that Rules. During the course of arguments, the learned counsel for the petitioner in the respective writ petitions and the respective Senior Counsel/counsel for the party respondents would submit that constitution of a Temple Advisory Committee in Chettikulangara Devi Temple, in terms of Ext.P1 Rules (byelaws) framed under sub-section (3) of Section 31A of the Act, 22 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 making specific provision regarding membership, protecting the right of devotees from 13 karaas will give a quietus to the major dispute between the petitioners in the respective writ petitions and the party respondents. 11. Section 31A of the Act, which deals with formation of Temple Advisory Committees, reads thus ; “31A. Formation of Temple Advisory Committees.- (1) 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. - (2) The Temple Advisory Committee constituted under sub-section (1) may be approved by the Board. (3) The composition of an Advisory Committee under sub-section (1) shall be in such manner as may be prescribed by rules made by the Board, not inconsistent with any practice, prevailing, if any.” (underline supplied) 12. In exercise of the powers under sub-section (3) of Section 31A of the Act, the Travancore Devaswom Board framed Ext.P1 Rules (bye-laws) for the formation of Temple Advisory Committees in temples under its management, which was approved by this Court in the order dated 03.11.2011 in DBA No.153 of 2009. 13. Clause (2) of Ext.P1 Rules, which deals with objectives of the Temple Advisory Committees, reads thus; 23 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ## “2. ഉ്ദേശ്യ ലഷ്യ്ങൾ ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ᩈിന േയ ും **,** വിശ്വാസികളുടെയ ും പ ്ദ ാഗരി്ക ്ദവ് ത്പവർ്ᩈി്ക ക **,** ്ദഷ്ത്രാചാ ്ങളുും പൂജാത്കമ്ങളുും ശ്ാ്഼ത്ര വിധിത്പകാ ും നെ്ᩈ ് ിന് സഹായക മായ നിലപാെ കൾ 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 ജന്ങൾ്ക് ്ദവ്ി സൗക യ്ങൾ ഒ ്ക ് ിന് 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) ഭ്വ ്ദഷ്ത്ര 14. As per Clause (2) of Ext.P1 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 24 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 Department. ## 15. Clause (3) of Ext.P1 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 ത്പ് ശ 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 ും 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. 3.4. അുംഗരവും നൽക ് ിന് 3.1. ൽ നിഷ ർഷി്ചി്ടു്ള 4 വിഭാഗ്ᩈിൽട്ᩔ്ടവ ിൽ, എ്ഞിനീയർമാർ, ആർ്കിടെ്ᨴ്, ചാർ്ദ്ടഡ് അ്കൗ്ിന , വ്കീല്ᩖാർ, ഉയർ്ര ഉ് യാഗ്ങളിലി ്ര് 25 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 വി മി്ചവർ ര െ്ങിയവട സ്ᩃത്ഗൂ്ᩔ് ഓ ീസർമാർ ്ദന ി്ട് കാണ കയ ും ത്പരിവികസന കാ യ്ങളിൽ അവർ്ക് രാത്പ യമ ട്ി്ര് ക്ിാൽ അവട 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.P1 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.P1 Rules deal with the 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 Ext.P1 Rules makes it explicitly clear that the membership in ‘registered mandalam’ is mainly for the devotees who are residing within a distance of 5 kms from the temple, who are regular worshipers and had contributed considerably for the 26 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 betterment of the temple and the devotees. Sub-clauses (i) to (iv) of Clause (3) of the Rules deal with the 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 (9) of Ext.P1 Rules deals with office bearers and their duties. Clause (9.1) deals with President, Clause (9.2) deals with Vice President, Clause (9.3.) deals with Secretary and Clause (9.4) deals with Treasurer. Clause (9) of the Rules reads thus; “9. ഭാ വാഹികളുും, ച മരലയ ും 9.1. ത്പസിഡന ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ ്ദയാഗ്ങളിൽ അ്ധയഷ്ും വഹി്ക ക, ്ദയാഗനെപെികൾ ്ദ ഖട്ᩔെ ്ᩈിയ മിനി്സിൽ ഒ്ᩔ് വ്ച് അുംഗീകാ ും നൽക ക, സമിരിയ ടെ ്ദപ ിൽ ത്പസിഡന്േ ും ത്െഷേേ ും കൂ്ടായി ഏടര്ഝില ും ഒ ് ശ്സാൽകൃര/ടഷഡയൂൾഡ് ാ്ഝിൽ അ്കൗ്ി് ര േ്ക ക, ് വസവും ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ നിർ്ദേശ ൾ അന സ ി്ച് സമിരി ത്പവർ്ᩈി്ക ്ര എ്ര് ഉേ്ᩔുവ ്ᩈ ക, സമിരിയ ടെ ്നരൃരവ്ില ് പണ്ി ിവ സു ്ി് ്മൽ്നാ്ു വഹി് ക, ്ദ ാർഡ് അുംഗീക ി്ക ്ര കാ യ്ങൾ്ക മാത്രും നിയമാന സൃരും ്ി് ടചലവാ്ക ്ര ടവ്ര് ഉേ്ᩔുവ ്ᩈ ക, പണ്ᩔി ിവ് കെിൊല െൻ ര ക നിയമാന സയരും ്ദജായിന അ്കൗ് ൽ നി്ദഷ്പി്ക ്ര ടവ്ര് ഉേ്ᩔുവ ്ᩈ ക, ്ഷതരഉ്മന്ിന 27 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ഭ്ജന സൗക യാർഥു പ്രികൾ ആവിഷ ി്ച് ് ാർഡിനടേ അന മരി്യാടെ നെ്ാ് ക. എലലാും അുംഗ്ങളുടെയ ും വിശ്വാസവ ും സഹക ണവ ും കൂ്ടാᩄ᪚മയ ും ഉേ്ᩔാ്കി അ്ചെ്ക്ദ്ᩈാടെ ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരി ത്പവർ്ᩈി്ക ്ര ടവ്ര് ഉേ്ᩔുവ ്ᩈ ക. 9.2. വവ്഼ ത്പസിഡന ്ദയാഗ്ങൾ കൂെ ്ദ്മാൾ ത്പസിഡന്േിന്ടേ അഭാവ്ᩈിൽ ്ദയാഗ്ᩈിന് അ്ധയഷ്ും വഹി്ക ക, ്ദയാഗ നെപെികൾ നിയത ി്ക ക, ്ദയാഗ്ᩈിന്ടേ മിനി്്഼ ഒ്ᩔ് വ്ച് അുംഗീക ി്ക ക. ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരി ത്പവർ്ᩈന്ങളിൽ ത്പസിഡന്േിടന സഹായി്ക ക. 9.3. ടസക്ടേി ്ദഷ്ത്ര ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ വദനുംദിന ത്പവർ്ᩈന്ങൾ നെ്ᩈ ക, വ വ കൾ്ക് സീത് ടകാെ ്ക ക, സമിരിയ ടെ അുംഗീകാ ്ᩈിന് വി്ദധയമായി ചിലവ കൾ ടച്യുക, ചിലവ കൾ്ക് വൗ്ചേ കൾ എെ രി സൂഷ്ി്ക ക, വ വ് ചിലവ് കണ്ക കൾ എെ രി സൂഷ്ി്ക ക, സമിരിയ ടെ ്ദപ ില ്ള ാ്ഝ് അ്കൗ്ി്, ടച്ക ്ക്, മ്റ് േി്കാർഡ കൾ മ രലായവ സൂഷ്ി്ക ക. ്ദയാഗരീ മാന്ങൾ മിനി്സിൽ ്ദ ഖട്ᩔെ ്ᩈി ത്പസിഡന്േിന്ടേ വകടയാ്ᩔ് വാ്ങി സൂഷ്ി്ക ക. സമിരിയ ടെ അുംഗീകാ ്ദ്ᩈാടെ ്ദ ഖകൾ, നിർ് ശ ൾ, അേിയി്ᩔുകൾ, അ്ദപഷ്കൾ എ്രിവ ് വസവും അധികൃരർ മ ്മാടക സമർ്ᩔി്ക ക. സാ്്ിക സമാഹ ണവ ു മ്ുു നെ് ് ിന ഡി്ാർ്ുടമനേിനടേ അന മരി വാ്ി്ച് ആവശയമായ കൂ്ൺ ര്ാോ്ി അസിേന ് വസവു ക്ീഷണേ ടെ സീൽവ്ച് സൂഷി് കയ ു അത നിയമാന സൃരു ഉപ്യാഗി് ് എ്ര് ഉേ്ുവ ് കയ ു ടച്ുക, പണ്ി ിവ കളുടെയ ു വ വ ടചലവ കളുടെയ ു വാർഷിക കണ് കൾ ആഡി്റ് നെ്ി എലാ വർഷവ ു ഏതപിൽ മാസു 30ാാാു രീയരിᩄ്ക് മ ്ായി ് ാർഡ അധികൃര ടെ മ ്ാടക ഹാജ ാ് ക, സമിരിയ ടെ േി്കാർഡ കൾ സൂഷ്ി്ക ക, സമിരി നിർ്ദേശ്ി്ക ് ും, ് വസവും ്ദ ാർഡ് നി്ᩐയി്ക ് മായ ്ദയാഗ്ങളിൽ സമിരിടയ ത്പരിനിധീക ി്ക ക, ത്പസിഡന്േിന്ടേ നിർ്ദേശ്ാന സ ണും സമിരി ്ദയാഗ്ങൾ വിളി്ച് കൂ്ടുക. 9.4. ത്െഷേർ സമിരിയ ടെ ്ദപ ിൽ ്ദജായിന അ്കൗ്ി് ര െ്ങ ക, നി്ᩐിര ആവശ്യ്ങൾ്കായി സമാഹ ി്ക ്ര പണും അ്ᩔ്ദ്ᩔാൾ ാ്ഝ് അ്കൗ് ൽ നി്ദഷ്പി്ക ്ര ടവ്ര് ഉേ്ᩔുവ ്ᩈ ക. വ വ ടചലവ കൾ്ക് വൗ്ചേ കൾ സൂഷ്ി്ക ്ര ടവ്ര ും, 28 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 കണ്ക കൾ കൃരയമായി ്ദ ഖട്ᩔെ ്ᩈി വᩄ᪚്ക ്ര ടവ്ര ും ഉപ്ദയാഗി്ച സീര കളുടെ കൗ്ിർ ്ദ ായില കളുും ഉപ്ദയാഗി്കാ്ᩈ സീര കളുും ത്പ്ദരയകും സൂഷ്ി്ക ്ര ടവ്ര ും ഉേ്ᩔുവ ്ᩈ ക. ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ അുംഗീകാ ്ദ്ᩈാെ കൂെിയ ും ത്പസിഡന , ടസത്ക്ടേി എ്രിവ ടെ അേി്ദവാ് കൂെിയ മാണ് വ വ് ടചലവ കൾ നെ്ᩈ ്രടര്ര് ഉേ്ᩔു വ ്ᩈ ക, അെിയ്ബി ഘ്ട്ങളിൽ ഉപ്ദയാഗി്ക ് ിന് സമിരിയ ടെ രീ മാന്ᩈിന് വി്ദധയമായി ആയി ും ൂപയിൽ കവിയാ്ᩈ ര ക വകവശ്ും വᩄ᪚്ക ക. (underline supplied) 19. As per Clause (9) of Ext.P1 Rules, one among the duties of the President, as provided in Clause (9.1), is to formulate projects for the betterment of the temple and for the convenience of the devotees and implement the same with the approval of the Board. The President has to supervise the collection of funds at the initiative of the Advisory Committee and he has to ensure that the functioning of the Committee is in accordance with the directions issued by the 1[st] respondent Board. As per Clause (9.3), the Secretary of the Committee has to get the approval of the Department for collection of funds. He has to print coupons and keep it in safe custody after obtaining the seal of the Assistant Commissioner. He has to ensure that such coupons are used only as per the permission granted by the Board. The Secretary has to cause the accounts relating to collection of funds, income and expenditure audited which shall be produced before the authorities in the Board before 30[th] April of every year. As per 29 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 Clause (9.4) of Ext.P1 Rules, the Treasurer has to ensure that proper accounts are maintained for the income and expenditure and that the income and expenditure of the Advisory Committee is with the approval of the Committee and with the knowledge of the President and the Secretary. 20. In **Sunil Kumar C. and others v. Travancore Devaswom Board and others [2022 (4) KHC 663]** a Division Bench of this Court in which one among us [Anil K. Narendran, J.] was a party noticed that, a reading of the provisions under Clause (9) of Ext.P1 Rules make it explicitly clear that the construction or repair or renovation work that has to be undertaken in a temple is not outside the purview of the Temple Advisory Committees constituted under Section 31A of the Act. It would certainly be open to the Travancore Devaswom Board to undertake such construction, repair or renovation work in a temple, directly by its Maramath Department. However, when the Board has chosen to undertake such construction or repair or renovation work in a temple through a committee, under the supervision of the officials in Maramath Department, it has to be undertaken through the Temple Advisory Committee constituted under Section 31A of the Act, under constant supervision and 30 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 scrutiny by the concerned officers of the 1[st] respondent Board, in order to ensure that the activities of the committee is in compliance with the directions issued by the Board. When the provisions under Section 31A of the Act contemplates constitution of a Temple Advisory Committee in the temples under the management of the Board, which is assigned with various duties as per Ext.P1 Rules, which includes undertaking various developmental activities in the temple, the normal rule is that any developmental activity in a temple, which is not undertaken directly by the 1[st] respondent Board through its officials in the Maramath Department, has to be undertaken through the Temple Advisory Committee. In view of the provisions contained in Clause (2), Clause (9) and Clause (11) of Ext.P1 Rules, and also the law laid down by this Court in **Chandu K. v. Travancore Devaswom Board [2021 (3) KHC 379]** , we find that the construction, repair or renovation work that has to be undertaken in a Temple is not outside the purview of the Temple Advisory Committees constituted under Section 31A of the Act. 21. Clause (11) of Ext.P1 Rules, which deals with term of office of the Temple Advisory Committee, reads thus; > “11. കാലാവധി > ്ദഷ്ത്ര ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ ത്പവർ്ᩈനകാലാവധി സമിരിടയ 31 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 |ഡി്ാർ്ുടമന<br>അുഗീക ി്<br>രീയരി<br>മ രൽ<br>്്| |---| |വർഷ്ാലമായി ി്ു,<br>വികസനതപവർ്ന്ളുടെ<br>്പ ി്ലാ,| |ഒെി്ുകൂൊനാകാ്<br>ചെ്കളുടെ<br>്പ ി്ലാ| |ഉപ്ശകസമിരിയ ടെ കാലാവധി ഒ വർഷു കൂെി ദീർഘി്ി്്| |നൽക വാൻ ്വസവു ക്ിഷണർ് ു വീ് ു ഒ വർഷു കൂെി| |ദീർഘി്ി്ു<br>നൽക വാൻ<br>്വസവു<br>് ാർഡിന ു| |അധികാ മ ്ായി ി് ്<br>ാണ.<br>എ്ാൽ<br>ഉപ്ശകസമിരിയ ടെ| |കാലാവധി ്വർഷ്ിൽ കൂെ രൽ ദീർഘി്ി്്നൽക വാൻ| |പാെ ്രല.” (underline supplied)| 22. As per Clause (11) of Ext.P1 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 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. 23. 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 32 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 clause (a) of sub-section (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. 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, 33 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 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. 24. Clause (12) of Ext.P1 Rules, which deals with powers and rights of the Devaswom Board, reads thus; "12. ് വസവും ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ അധികാ അവകാശ ൾ 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.” 25. As per Clause (12) of Ext.P1 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 34 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 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. 26. Clause (18) of Ext.P1 Rules, which deals with ## prohibitions, reads thus; ## “18.നി്ദ ാധനും ്ദഷ്ത്ര ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരി്ദയാ, അുംഗ്ങ്ദളാ ്ദഷ്ത്ര സ്മർശ്ക ിൽ നി്ര ും ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ᩈിന ്ളിൽ വ്ച് യാടരാ പണപി ിവ കളുും നെ്ᩈാൻ പാെിലല. ്ദഷ ത്രാപ് ശ്കസമിരിയ ടെ ച മരലയിൽ ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ᩈിന ്ളിൽ നെ്ക ്ര ചെ്ങ കളുടെ ്ദവദികളിൽ പണും സമാഹ ി്ക ് ിന് കാണി്കവ്ഞിക്ദളാ, പാത്ര്ങ്ദളാ ടവᩄ᪚്കാൻ പാെിലലാ്ᩈരാണ്. ്ദഷ്ത്രവികസന കാ യ്ങൾ്ക് ്ദവ് ഡി്ᩔാർ്ടുടമന്ടേ അന വാദ്ദ്ᩈാെ കൂെി കൂ്ᩔണ കൾ അ്ചെി്ക ്ദ്മാൾ നി്ᩐിരര ക ്ദ ഖട്ᩔെ ്ᩈിയ കൂ്ᩔണ കൾ മാത്ര്ദമ അ്ചെി്കാൻ പാെ ്ളൂ. അസിേന ് വസവും ക്മീഷണേ ടെ മ ത്ദ പരി്ᩔി്കാ്ᩈ സീര കൾ യാടരാ കാ ണവശ്ാല ും പണ്ᩔി ിവിന് ഉപ്ദയാഗി്കാൻ പാെിലല. ഇരിന് വി ്ധമായ ത്പവർ്ᩈന്ങൾ ത്ശ യിൽട്ᩔ്ടാൽ സാ്മ്ᩈിക ത്കമ്ദ്കൊയി പ ിഗണി്ച് നിലവില ്ള നിയമ്ങൾ അന സ ി്ച് കർശ്ന നെപെികൾ സവീക ി്കാന ്ള അധികാ ും ്ദ ാർഡിന് ഉ്ിായി ി്ക ് ാണ്. ഉപ് ശകസമിരിയിടല ഭാ വാഹിരവ്ില ു അുഗരവ്ില ു ഉൾട്െ ് ഒ വയ്ി്ക് ര െർ്യായി ് ക്ി്ിയ ടെ കാലാവധിയിൽ കൂെ രൽ സമിരിയിൽ ര െ ാൻ അർഹര ഉ്ായി ി് ് ലല. രി വിരാുംകൂർ ് വസവും ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ ഭ ണാധികാ ട്ᩈയ ും നിയത ണാധികാ ട്ᩈയ ും സമിരി്ദ്കാ, സമിരിയിടല അുംഗ്ങൾ്ദ്കാ ്ദചാദയും ടച്യാൻ യാടരാ അവകാശ്വ ും ഉ്ിായി ി്ക ് ലല. ് വസവും ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ ഭ ണ്ᩈില ്ള ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ᩈിടല ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരിയിൽ അുംഗമായി്ടു്ള ഒ ാൾ്ക് അ്ദരകാലയളവിൽ ്ദ ാർഡ് ഭ ണ്ᩈില ്ള മ്റ് ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ങളി്ദല്ദയാ ഏടര്ഝില ും സവകാ യ ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ങളി്ദല്ദയാ ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരിയി്ദലാ മ്റു 35 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ഭ ണസമിരിയി്ദലാ അുംഗമായി ി്കാൻ അർഹര ഉ്ിായി ി്ക ് ലല.” (underline supplied) 27. Clause (18) of Ext.P1 Rules prohibits the Temple Advisory Committee from collecting funds in connection with any ceremonies in the temple by placing kanikkavanchi or hundies. When coupons are printed for development activities in the temple, with the approval of the Department, only coupons for the specified amount shall be printed. No receipts without the seal of the Assistant Commissioner shall be used for collecting funds. Therefore, the provisions under Clause (18) of Ext.P1 Rules provide sufficient safeguards to prevent illegal collection of funds by the Temple Advisory Committee for development activities in a temple. As per Clause (18), a person who is an office bearer or member of the Temple Advisory Committee shall not be eligible to continue as such continuously exceeding the term of two committees. 28. Clause (21) of Ext.P1 Rules, which deals with special powers of the Devaswom Board, reads thus; “21.് വസവും ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ ത്പ്ദരയക അധികാ ും: ഏടര്ഝില ും ്ദഷ്ത്ര്ങളിൽ ഉപ് ശകസമിരികൾ ൂപീക ി് ് ിന തപാ്യാഗികമായി ്ിമ ്ു് പഷും ഉപ് ശ്കസമിരികൾ ്ദവട്ി്ര് നി്ᩐയി്കാന ്ള അധികാ ും ് വസവും ്ദ ാർഡിന്ടേ അുംഗീകാ ്ᩈിന വി്ദധയമായി ് വസവും ക്മീഷണേിൽ നിഷ്ിപ്രമായി ി്ക ് ാണ്. (ത്പ്ദരയക സാഹച യ്ങളിൽ ് വസവ്ങളിൽ ത്പവർ്ᩈി്ചുവ ്ര മ്റ് സമിരികടള ഉപ് ശകസമിരി്ക് പക മായി അുഗീക ി് വാൻ ഉ്ള അധികാ ും 36 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 |് ാർഡിൽ<br>നിഷിപരമായി ി് ു.<br>്മൽതപകാ ു<br>നിലവില ്| |---| |സമിരികൾ്് അുഗീകാ ു ആവശയമ ്പഷു അവ ഈ വ ്ലാ| |നിലവിൽവ്<br>ഒ<br>മാസ്ിനകു<br>് ാർഡിന<br>അ്പഷ| |നൽ്ക്രാണ.<br>അരര<br>സമിരിയ ടെ<br>വ ്ലാ<br>പ ി്ശാധി്്| |അവᩄ്്<br>്ഷതര<br>ഉപ്ശക<br>സമിരിയ ടെ<br>വ ്ലായ മായി| |അെി്ാനപ മായി വി്യാജി്ിലാടയ്് കാണ ് പഷു ഉപ്ശക| |സമിരി്്<br>പക മായി<br>തപ്ര ര<br>സമിരിടയ<br>അുഗീക ി് ്| |കാ യ്ിൽ<br>് ാർഡ<br>രീ മാനു<br>വകട്ാ്ു്<br>ാണ.| |അുഗീക ി് ്പഷു<br>അ് ു<br>സമിരികളുടെ<br>സാ്്ിക| |ഇെപാെ കൾ<br>ഉൾട്ടെയ ്<br>എലാ<br>കാ യ്ളുു| |പ ി്ശാധി് ്<br>ിന ു<br>അന്<br>നെപെികൾ<br>സവീക ി് ്<br>ിന ു| |് ാർഡിനധികാ മ ്ായി ി് ു.<br>ഇര മായി<br>്ട്്<br>എലാ| |നെപെികളുു<br>അരത<br>സമിരി്്<br>്നാ്ീ്<br>നൽകിടകാ്്<br>മാതര്മ| |വകട്ാ്ുവാൻ പാെ ്ൂ. ഇരി്്ല ് ് ാർഡിനടേ രീ മാനു| |സു ്ി്്<br>എട്്ില ു<br>രർ്മ ്<br>പഷു<br>ഹ മാനട്്| |രി വിരാുകൂർ<br>ടകാ്ിൻ<br>്വസവു<br>് ാർഡ കളുടെ| |ഓു ഡ<br>മാന മ ൻപിൽ അ്ീൽ നൽകാവ ്<br>ു പ ാരി്ാട| |്ന ിൽ്ക്്ശഷു<br>ഹ മാനട്്<br>ഓു ഡ<br>മാൻ<br>ആയരി്്ൽ| |രീർ്്<br>കൽ്ി് ്<br>ു<br>ആവശയടമ്ിൽ<br>ഹ മാനട്്| |വഹ്്ാെരിയ ടെ രീ മാന്ിന സമർ്ി് ്<br>മായി ി് ു."| (underline supplied) 29. As per Clause (21) of Ext.P1 Rules, in case there is practical difficulties in constituting a Temple Advisory committee in a temple, the Devaswom Commissioner shall have the power to decide, with the approval of the Board, not to constitute a Temple Advisory Committee in that temple. In special circumstances, the Board shall have the power to approve any other Samithi functioning in the Devaswoms as the Temple Advisory Committees of that temple. 30. In **Sunil Kumar C. [2022 (4) KHC 663]** , a 37 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 Division Bench of this Court noticed that a reading of the provisions under Clause (21) of Ext.P1 Rules make it explicitly clear that the said provisions can be invoked only in the case of a temple in which there is any practical difficulty for the formation of a Temple Advisory Committee, in which event, the 1[st] respondent Board is vested with the power to approve any other committee functioning in that temple, considering the special circumstances prevailing in that temple. The provisions under Clause (21) would not enable the Travancore Devaswom Board or the Commissioner to approve an Ad-hoc Committee, in the place of a Temple Advisory Committee, for the purpose of undertaking construction or repair or renovation work in a temple. 31. In **Major Vellayani Devi Temple Advisory Committee v. State of Kerala [2023 (2) KHC 290]** a Division Bench of this Court in which one among us [Anil K. Narendran, J] was a party held that in view of the provisions of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, the Travancore Devaswom Board is duty bound to see that the regular traditional rites and ceremonies according to the practice prevalent in Vellayani Bhadrakali Devi Temple are performed promptly; and to establish and maintain proper 38 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 facilities in Vellayani Bhadrakali Devi Temple for the devotees. Subject to the provisions of Part I of the Act and the Rules made thereunder, the Board shall manage the properties and affairs of Vellayani Devaswom and arrange for the conduct of the daily worship and ceremonies and of the festivals in Vellayani Bhadrakali Devi Temple according to the usage. The Temple Advisory Committee of a temple under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board, which consists of devotees who fall under the eligibility criteria prescribed in Clause (3) of the Rules framed under sub-section (3) of Section 31A of the Act, is duty bound to render necessary assistance to the Board and its officials for the smooth functioning of the temple activities and festivals according to the usage. 32. The law laid down in **Major Vellayani Devi Temple Advisory Committee [2023 (2) KHC 290]** was reiterated in **Rajalekshmi P. v. State of Kerala [2023 (3) KHC 491]** . 33. As submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioners in the respective writ petitions, the learned counsel for the 7[th] respondent Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust, the respective Senior 39 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 Counsel/counsel for the party respondents and also the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board, the major issues raised in these writ petitions regarding the constitution of the Temple Advisory Committee Chettikulangara Devi Temple can be resolved by constituting a Temple Advisory Committee in that temple, in terms of Ext.P1 Rules (bye-laws) framed under sub-section (3) of Section 31A of the Act, making specific provision regarding membership, protecting the right of devotees from 13 karaas. The entire activities of that Temple Advisory Committee shall be governed by the provisions under Ext.P1 Rules (bye-laws), i.e., Clause 9, which deals with office bearers and their duties, Clause 11, which deals with term of office, Clause 18, which deals with prohibitions and other Clauses in that Rules (bye-laws). Clause 3 of Ext.P1 Rules (bye-laws), which deals with membership, alone requires modification, for making specific provision regarding membership of the Temple Advisory Committee, in order to protect the right of devotees from 13 karaas, going by the practice prevailing in Chettikulangara Devi Temple, which can be protected in an appropriate manner, in view of the provisions under sub-section (3) of Section 31A of the Act, which provides that the composition of a Temple Advisory 40 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 Committee under sub-section (1) of Section 31A shall be in such manner as may be prescribed by Rules made by the Board, not inconsistent with any practice, prevailing, if any. 34. A decision on the above aspect, i.e., appropriate modification of Clause 3 of Ext.P1 Rules (bye-laws), while adopting the same in the case of the Temple Advisory Committee of Chettikulangara Devi Temple, shall be taken by the Travancore Devaswom Board, with notice to both sides and after affording them an opportunity of being heard. The name of the Temple Advisory Committee shall be “Temple Advisory Committee of Chettikulangara Devi Temple”, in view of the provisions under sub-section (1) of Section 31A of the Act. The submission of the learned counsel for the 7[th] respondent Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust that the said respondent has no objection in adopting the name of the Temple Advisory Committee in terms of the provisions under sub-section (1) of Section 31A of the Act, is recorded. 35. A decision as directed above shall be taken by the Travancore Devaswom Board, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of three months from the date of production of a certified copy of this judgment. In view of the 41 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 aforesaid directions, order ROC No.10601/19/NS dated 28.10.2022 of the Travancore Devaswom Board (Ext.P3 in W.P.(C)No.1608 of 2023 and W.P.(C)No.4048 of 2023) granting approval to Ext.P4 bye-laws of Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust and order ROC No.10601/19/NS dated 10.11.2022 of the Travancore Devaswom Board (Ext.P5 in W.P.(C)No.1608 of 2023 and W.P.(C)No.4048 of 2023) granting approval for the amendments made to Clauses 5 and 7 of Ext.P4 bye-laws, are set aside. 36. In the result, these writ petitions are disposed of with the directions contained hereinbefore; however leaving open the further reliefs sought for in the writ petitions regarding the audit of accounts of the 7[th] respondent Chettikulangara Sree Devi Vilasam Hindu Matha Convention Trust and also the enquiry sought for regarding the wealth amassed by the said respondent in the name of Chettikulangara Devi Temple, relying on the law laid down by this Court in **Arjunan T.N. v. Temple Advisory Committee and others [2012 (4) KHC 155]** . It would be open to the petitioners in the respective writ petitions to raise those contentions before the appropriate forum, after a decision is 42 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 taken by the Travancore Devaswom Board in terms of the directions contained hereinbefore. Sd/- Sd/- **G. GIRISH, JUDGE** vgd 43 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 1608/2023`** ## **`PETITIONER’S EXHIBITS`** ``` EXHIBIT P1A TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION ROC 1809/09/NS DATED 30-11-2011 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMON JUDGMENT DATED 28-3-2018 IN WP-C NO. 11411/2016 AND CONNECTED CASES ``` - **`EXHIBIT P3 A TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS ROC NO. 10601/19/MS DATED 28-10-2022 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT`** ``` EXHIBIT P4A TRUE COPY OF THE BYE-LAWS OF THE TEMPLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPROVED BY EXT. P3 ORDER ``` ``` EXHIBIT P5A TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS DATED 10-11-2022 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT ``` - **`EXHIBIT P6 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 22-122022 FORWARDED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO EREZHA SOUTH HYNDAVA KARA YOGAM`** - **`EXHIBIT P7 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 22-122022 FORWARDED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT TO EACH OF THE 13 KARAS`** - **`EXHIBIT P8 A TRUE COPY OF THE AGREEMENT NO.40/07 DATED 02-02-2007 OF MAVELIKARA SUB REGISTRY EXECUTED BY 17 PERSONS`** - **`EXHIBIT P9 A TRUE COPY OF THE MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION OF EREZHA SOUTH HYNDAVA KARAYOGAM`** - **`EXHIBIT P10 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED 5-1-2023 FORWARDED BY THE PETITIONERS TO THE 1ST RESPONDENT BOARD`** ## **`RESPONDENT’S EXHIBITS`** ``` EXHIBIT R7(B)TRUE COPY OF THE UDAMPADI DATED 17.05.1957 ``` 44 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 |**`EXHIBIT R7(C)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE COMMON JUDGMENT`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE COMMON JUDGMENT`**|**`IN WP`**| |---|---|---|---| ||**`(C) 18725/2010 DATED 10.11.2010`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(D)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT OF THE LEARNED`**||| ||**`OMBUDSMAN DATED 04.07.2011`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(E)`**|**`TRUE`**<br>**`COPY`**<br>**`OF`**<br>**`THE`**|<br>**`ORDER`**<br>**`IN`**|<br>**`DBAR`**| ||**`NO.2/2012 DATED 13.7.2012`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(F)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER OF THE 2ND`**||| ||**`RESPONDENT DATED 24.06.2015`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(114)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.115`**||**`DATED`**| ||**`02.02.2023`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(12)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE`**|**`FORM NO.13`**|**`DATED`**| ||**`16.01.2023`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(57)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE`**|**`FORM NO.58`**|**`DATED`**| ||**`24.01.2023`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(G)`**|**`TRUE`**<br>**`COPY`**<br>**`OF`**<br>**`THE`**|<br>**`ORDER`**<br>**`OF`**|<br>**`THE`**| ||**`2NDRESPONDENT DATED 04.03.2016`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(52)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE`**|**`FORM NO.53`**|**`DATED`**| ||**`21.01.2023`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(59)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE`**|**`FORM NO.60`**|**`DATED`**| ||**`18.01.2023`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(H)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION ISSUED`**||| ||**`BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT`**|**`11.12.2018`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(53)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM`**|**`NO.54 DATED`**|**`NIL`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(60)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM`**|**`NO.61 DATED`**|**`NIL`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(61)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM`**|**`NO.62 DATED`**|**`NIL`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(54)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE`**|**`FORM NO.55`**|**`DATED`**| ||**`23.01.2023`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(8)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE`**|**`FORM NO.9`**|**`DATED`**| ||**`15.01.2023`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(3)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE`**|**`FORM NO.4`**|**`DATED`**| ||**`17.01.2022`**||| 45 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(56)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.57 DATED 24.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(A)TRUE COPY OF THE FESTIVAL CALENDAR DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(I)TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER OF APPROVAL OF THE BYE-LAWS DATED 18.10.2019 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT EXHIBIT R7(J)TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER OF 3RD RESPONDENT DATED 04.11.2019 EXHIBIT R7(L)TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT BEFORE THE PRESIDENT OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT DATED 05.11.2019 EXHIBIT R7(M)TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER OF 1ST RESPONDENT DATED 17.01.2021 EXHIBIT R7(P)TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT BEFORE 2ND RESPONDENT DATED 31.08.2021 EXHIBIT R7(Q)TRUE COPY OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 31.08.2021 AND COMMUNICATED BY ROC NO. 10601/19/NS DATED 13.09.2021 EXHIBIT R7(R)TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT BEFORE THE PRESIDENT OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT DATED 26.11.2021 EXHIBIT R7(S)TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT DATED 27.04.2022 GIVEN TO 7TH RESPONDENT EXHIBIT R7(T)TRUE COPY OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING DATED 04.05.2022 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT ON 14.06.2022 EXHIBIT R7(U)TRUE COPY OF THE BYE-LAW DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(V)TRUE COPY OF THE COVERING LETTER DATED 06.11.2022 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT EXHIBIT R7(W)TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD DATED 10.11.2022 ``` 46 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ``` EXHIBIT R7(W)(1)TRUE COPY OF THE FORWARDING LETTER OF 4TH RESPONDENT DATED 22.11.2022 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(X)TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION OF THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 7TH RESPONDENT DATED 22.12.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Y)TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF NADAKKAVU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM ELECTED TO UPADESAKASAMITHI DATED 03.01.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Y)(1)TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM REG. NO.18/97 ELECTED TO UPADESAKASAMITHI DATED 06.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Y)(2)TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF REG. NO. 133/2014 HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM ELECTED TO UPADESAKASAMITHI DATED 08.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Y)(3)TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF ANJILIPRA HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM ELECTED TO UPADESAKASAMITHI DATED 10.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Y)(4)TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF KANNAMANGALAM THEKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM ELECTED TO UPADESAKASAMITHI DATED 19.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Y)(5)TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF KAITHAVADAKK HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM ELECTED TO UPADESAKASAMITHI DATED 27.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Y)(6)TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF MENAMPALLY HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM ELECTED TO UPADESAKASAMITHI DATED 28.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Y)(7)TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM KANNAMANGALAM- VADAKKU ELECTED TO UPADESAKASAMITHI DATED 29.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Y)(8)TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF EREZHA THEKKU HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM ELECTED TO UPADESAKASAMITHI DATED 02.02.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Y)(9)TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF 41ST NUMBER HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM ELECTED ``` 47 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ||**`TO UPADESAKASAMITHI DATED 02.02.2023`**| |---|---| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Y)(10)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF`**| ||**`PELA HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM ELECTED TO`**| ||**`UPADESAKASAMITHI DATED NIL`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Y)(11)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF`**| ||**`KADAVOOR HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM ELECTED TO`**| ||**`UPADESAKASAMITHI DATED NIL`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Y)(12)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF`**| ||**`MATTOM SOUTH HAINDAVA KARAYOGAM ELECTED`**| ||**`TO UPADESAKA SAMITHI DATED NIL`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.1 DATED`**| ||**`17.01.2023`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(1)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.2 DATED NIL`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(2)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.3 DATED`**| ||**`10.01.2023`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(5)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO. 6 DATED`**| ||**`17.01.2023`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(7)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.8 DATED`**| ||**`17.01.2023`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(N)`**|**`TRUE`**<br>**`COPY`**<br>**`OF`**<br>**`THE`**<br>**`NOTICE`**<br>**`DATED`**| ||**`07.03.2021 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(6)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.7 DATED`**| ||**`18.01.2023`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(O)`**|**`TRUE`**<br>**`COPY`**<br>**`OF`**<br>**`THE`**<br>**`NOTICE`**<br>**`DATED`**| ||**`10.08.2021 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(14)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.15 DATED`**| ||**`16.01.2023`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(15)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.16 DATED`**| ||**`16.01.2023`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(16)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.17 DATED`**| ||**`16.01.2023`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(18)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.19 DATED`**| ||**`16.01.2023`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(17)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.18 DATED`**| ||**`15.01.2023`**| 48 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(22)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.23 DATED 17.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(19)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.20 DATED 19.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(20)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.21 DATED 15.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(23)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.24 DATED 18.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(21)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.22 DATED 17.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(24)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.25 DATED 17.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(25)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.26 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(26)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.27 DATED 12.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(27)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.28 DATED 17.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(29)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.30 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(30)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.31 DATED 23.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(31)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.32 DATED 21.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(32)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.33 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(33)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.34 DATED 22.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(34)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.35 DATED 21.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(35)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.36 DATED 21.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(36)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.37 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(37)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.38 DATED 08.01.2022 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(38)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.39 DATED ``` 49 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ``` 22.01.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(39)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.40 DATED 21.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(40)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.41 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(41)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.42 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(44)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.45 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(43)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.44 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(45)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.46 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(46)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.47 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(47)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.48 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(48)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.49 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(49)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.50 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(50)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.51 DATED NIL ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(106)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.107 DATED 14.01.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(107)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.108 DATED 14.01.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(108)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.109 DATED 14.01.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(109)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.110 DATED 14.01.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(110)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.111 DATED 02.02.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(111)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.112 DATED 02.02.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(112)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.113 DATED 02.02.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(113)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.114 DATED 02.02.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(62)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO. 63 DATED NIL ``` 50 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(63)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.64 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(64)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.65 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(65)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.66 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(66)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.67 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(67)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.68 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(69)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.70 DATED NIL EXHIBIT R7(Z)(68)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.69 DATED NIL ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(70)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.71 DATED 07.01.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(72)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.73 DATED 07.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(73)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.74 DATED 08.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(71)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.72 DATED 08.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(74)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.75 DATED 05.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(75)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.76 DATED 09.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(78)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.79 DATED 08.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(77)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.78 DATED 07.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(76)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.77 DATED 08.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(79)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.80 DATED 08.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(82)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.83 DATED 29.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(81)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.82 DATED 29.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(83)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.84 DATED ``` 51 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ``` 30.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(80)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.81 DATED 29.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(84)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.85 DATED 30.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(85)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.86 DATED 31.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(86)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.87 DATED 01.02.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(88)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.89 DATED 01.02.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(87)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.88 DATED 01.02.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(89)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.90 DATED 30.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(90)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.91 DATED 19.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(91)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.92 DATED 19.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(95)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.96 DATED 19.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(93)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.94 DATED 19.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(94)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.95 DATED 19.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(92)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.93 DATED 19.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(96)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.97 DATED 19.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(98)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.99 DATED 19.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(97)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.98 DATED 19.01.2023 EXHIBIT R7(Z)(99)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.100 DATED ``` 52 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ## **`19.01.2023`** ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(101)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.102 DATED NIL ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(102)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.103 DATED 14.01.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(103)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.104 DATED 01.02.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(104)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.105 DATED 14.01.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(105)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.106 DATED 14.01.2023 ``` - **`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(115) TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.116 DATED 02.02.2023`** ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(116)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.117 DATED 02.02.2023 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(117)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.118 DATED 02.02.2023 ``` - **`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(118) TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.119 DATED 02.02.2023`** - **`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(119) TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.120 DATED 02.02.2023`** - **`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(120) TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.121 DATED 27.01.2023`** - **`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(121) TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.122 DATED 27.01.2023`** - **`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(122) TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.123 DATED 27.01.2023`** - **`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(123) TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.124 DATED 27.01.2023`** - **`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(124) TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.125 DATED 27.01.2023`** - **`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(125) TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.126 DATED 27.01.2023`** - **`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(126) TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.127 DATED 27.01.2023`** 53 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(127)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF`**|**`THE FORM NO.128 DATED`**| |---|---|---| ||**`27.01.2023`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(128)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF`**|**`THE FORM NO.129 DATED`**| ||**`27.01.2023`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(129)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF`**|**`THE FORM NO.130 DATED`**| ||**`27.01.2023`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(9)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.10 DATED NIL`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(4)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF`**|**`THE FORM NO.5 DATED`**| ||**`17.01.2023`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(AA)`**|**`TRUE`**<br>**`COPY`**<br>**`OF`**|<br>**`THE`**<br>**`PHOTOGRAPHS`**<br>**`OF`**| ||**`KETTUKAZHCHA OF`**|**`EACH KARA`**| |**`EXHIBIT R7(AB)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING`**|| ||**`VARIOUS`**<br>**`STAGES`**<br>**`OF`**<br>**`CONSTRUCTION`**<br>**`OF`**|| ||**`KETTUKAZHCHA`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(AC)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE`**|| ||**`ASSEMBLAGE OF KETTUKAZHCHAS`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(AD)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE`**|| ||**`PREPARATION`**|**`AND`**<br>**`FEEDING`**<br>**`OF`**| ||**`KUTHIRAMOOTIL KANJI`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(10)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.11 DATED NIL`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(11)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF`**|**`THE FORM NO.12 DATED`**| ||**`19.01.2023`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(13)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF`**|**`THE FORM NO.14 DATED`**| ||**`16.01.2023`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(28)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF`**|**`THE FORM NO.29 DATED`**| ||**`15.01.2023`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(51)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF`**|**`THE FORM NO.52 DATED`**| ||**`24.01.2023`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(55)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.56 DATED NIL`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(58)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF`**|**`THE FORM NO.59 DATED`**| ||**`24.01.2023`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(Z)(100)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF`**|**`THE FORM NO.101 DATED`**| ||**`14.01.2023`**|| |**`EXHIBIT R7(AE)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF`**|**`THE PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING`**| 54 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ## **`ASSEMBLAGE OF ASWATHY KETTUKAZHCHA`** ``` EXHIBIT R7(Z)(42)TRUE COPY OF THE FORM NO.43 DATED NI ``` ``` EXHIBIT R7(K)TRUE COPY OF THE BYE-LAW SO APPROVED DATED NIL ``` ``` PETITIONER EXHIBITS ``` ``` EXHIBIT P11A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 3-3- 2021 IN WP-C NO. 6887/2020 ``` - **`EXHIBIT P13 A TRUE COPY OF THE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR 2022 RELEASED BY THE EREZHA THEKKU HYNDAVA KARAYOGAM`** - **`EXHIBIT P14 A TRUE COPY OF THE INFORMATION DATED 9- 2-2023 ISSUED FROM THE CHETTIKULANGARA PANCHAYAT OFFICE`** - **`EXHIBIT P12(A) TRUE COPY OF ANOTHER NOTICE ISSUED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT IN RESPECT OF THE SAID MAHABHARATA YAGNA CONDUCTED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT AT THE CHETTIKULANGARA DEVI TEMPLE DATED NIL`** - **`EXHIBIT P12(B) TRUE COPY OF ANOTHER NOTICE ISSUED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT IN RESPECT OF THE SAID MAHABHARATA YAGNA CONDUCTED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT AT THE CHETTIKULANGARA DEVI TEMPLE DATED NIL`** - **`EXHIBIT P12(C) TRUE COPY OF ANOTHER NOTICE ISSUED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT IN RESPECT OF THE SAID MAHABHARATA YAGNA CONDUCTED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT AT THE CHETTIKULANGARA DEVI TEMPLE DATED NIL`** - **`EXHIBIT P12 TRUE COPY OF NOTICE ISSUED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT IN RESPECT OF THE SAID MAHABHARATA YAGNA CONDUCTED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT AT THE CHETTIKULANGARA DEVI TEMPLE DATED NIL`** - **`EXHIBIT P12(D)`** - **`TRUE COPY OF ANOTHER NOTICE ISSUED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT IN RESPECT OF THE SAID MAHABHARATA YAGNA CONDUCTED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT AT THE CHETTIKULANGARA DEVI TEMPLE DATED NIL`** ``` RESPONDENT EXHIBITS ``` 55 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 |**`EXHIBIT R7(A)(A)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE`**| |---|---|---|---| ||**`STATEMENT`**<br>**`FOR`**<br>**`THE`**<br>**`PERIOD`**||**`FROM`**| ||**`14.02.2023 TO 03.03.2023`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R4(A)`**|**`TRUE`**<br>**`COPY`**<br>**`OF`**<br>**`THE`**<br>**`ACCOUNT`**|<br>**`DETAILS`**|| ||**`SHOWING THE EXPENSES INCURRED BY`**||**`THE`**| ||**`7TH`**<br>**`RESPONDENT`**<br>**`FROM`**<br>**`14/02/2023`**||<br>**`TO`**| ||**`03/03/2023`**||| |**`EXHIBIT-R4(B)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE INCOME`**|**`STATEMENT`**|| ||**`PROVIDED BY THE 7TH RESPONDENT TO`**||**`THE`**| ||**`ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER`**||| |**`EXHIBIT-R4(C)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE INCOME AND`**|**`EXPENSES`**|| ||**`STATEMENT IN GENERAL PROVIDE BY THE`**||**`7TH`**| ||**`RESPONDENT`**<br>**`AND`**<br>**`ENDORSED`**|**`BY`**|**`THE`**| ||**`ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R7(AF)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGEMENT`**|**`IN`**|**`DBAR`**| ||**`8/2012 DATED 21.08.2017`**||| |**`EXHIBIT R14(A)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE BYE-LAWS`**|**`OF`**|**`14TH`**| ||**`RESPONDENT DATED 23-3-2018`**||| |**`PETITIONER EXHIBITS`**|||| |**`EXHIBIT P15`**|**`A`**<br>**`TRUE`**<br>**`COPY`**<br>**`OF`**<br>**`EXT.P4`**<br>**`AFTER`**||**`THE`**| ||**`AMENDMENTS`**<br>**`AS`**<br>**`PROPOSED`**|**`BY`**|**`THE`**| ||**`PETITIONERS`**||| |**`EXHIBIT P19`**|**`A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING THE CONVENTION`**||| ||**`OFFICE IN THE TEMPLE PRECINCTS`**||| |**`EXHIBIT P20`**|**`A TRUE CLOSE UP PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING`**||**`THE`**| ||**`CONVENTION OFFICE`**||| |**`EXHIBIT P21`**|**`A TRUE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE BHAJANA MADOM`**||| |**`EXHIBIT P22`**|**`A TRUE COPY OF THE BOOKLET PUBLISHED BY`**||| ||**`THE 7TH RESPONDENT FOR THE`**|**`FESTIVAL`**|| ||**`MARCH 17 TO 19, 2023`**||| |**`EXHIBIT P17`**|**`A TRUE COPY OF THE SALE`**|**`DEED`**|**`NO.`**| ||**`3895/2009 OF MAVELIKARA SUB`**|**`REGISTRY`**|| ||**`DATED 7-12-2009`**||| |**`EXHIBIT P18`**|**`A TRUE COPY OF THE SALE`**|**`DEED`**|**`NO.`**| ||**`1790/14 OF MAVELIKARA SUB`**|**`REGISTRY`**|| ||**`DATED 1-9-2014`**||| 56 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ``` EXHIBIT P16A TRUE COPY OF THE SALE DEED NO. 1538/1992 OF MAVELIKKARA SUB REGISTRY DATED 22-5-1992 ``` ``` RESPONDENT EXHIBITS ``` ``` EXHIBIT R20(A)TRUE COPY OF THE DEED NO. 132/2014 DATED 25.09.2014 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R15(A)TRUE COPY OF THE DEED DATED 23.02.1981 OF MAVELIKKARA SUB REGISTRY EXHIBIT R17(A)TRUE COPY OF THE DEED NO. 131/2014 OF MAVELIKKARA SUB REGISTRY DATED 24.09.2014 EXHIBIT R18(A)TRUE COPY OF THE BYELAW DEED NO. 134/2014 DATED 27.09.2014 ANNEXURE 19 ATRUE COPY OF THE REGISTERD DEED DATED 26/09/2014 ANNEXURE 19 BTRUE COPY OF THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE INSTALLATION EXHIBIT R7(AG)TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 21.01.2020 IN WP(C) NO. 5467/2019 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT ``` 57 W.P(C) Nos.1608 and 4048 of 2023 ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 4048/2023`** ## **`PETITIONER’S EXHIBITS`** - **`EXHIBIT P.1 THE TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE UDAMPADY REGISTERED VIDE REG. NO.24/57 DATED 1705-1957`** - **`EXHIBIT P.2 THE TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION ROC NO. 1809/09/N.S DATED 30-11-2011 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT`** - **`EXHIBIT P.3 THE TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE COMMON JUDGMENT IN W.P© NO. 11411 OF 2016 AND CONNECTED CASES DATED 28-03-2018`** - **`EXHIBIT P.4 18. THE TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT VIDE ROC NO. 10601/19/MS DATED 28-10-2022 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT`** ``` EXHIBIT P.5THE TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF BYE-LAWS OF TEMPLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPROVED BY EXHIBIT P.4 ORDER ``` ``` EXHIBIT P.6THE TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT R.O.C.NO.10601/19/NS DATED 10-11-2022 EXHIBIT P.7THE TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE LETTER ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT TO THE 13TH RESPONDENT DATED 22-12-2022 EXHIBIT P.8THE TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE LETTER ISSUED BY THE "CHETTIKULNAGARA SREE DEVI VILASOM HINDUMATHA CONVENTION TRUST" TO THE 13TH RESPONDENT DATED 22- 12-2022 ```