Kerala High Court stays Malabar Devaswom Board order directing temple funds to cover officials’ expenses for Global Ayyappa Sangam, protecting devotees’ trust property and preventing misuse of temple resources.
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Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday stayed an order issued by the Malabar Devaswom Board (MDB) that had authorised officials of temples under its management to use temple funds to cover travel and food expenses for attending the Global Ayyappa Sangam.
The interim stay was granted by a bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar, which also issued notices to the Kerala state government, the Malabar Devaswom Commissioner, and the Board to present their stand on the matter.
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The case was filed by Ramachandran A V, a clerk at the Kinavoor Sri Kiratheswara Temple in Neeleswaram, Kasaragod district. Ramachandran challenged the Devaswom Commissioner’s order dated September 18, which directed divisional Inspectors and temple executive officers volunteering for the Global Ayyappa Sangam to bear travel and food expenses from the respective temples’ funds. According to the order, even vehicle expenses were to be covered by the temples themselves.
The petitioner argued that temple funds are trust property belonging to the deity and devotees, and the state acts only as a statutory trustee under a fiduciary duty. Diverting such funds for non-religious purposes, he contended, is illegal, arbitrary, and unreasonable, especially as several temples under the Board are currently facing financial constraints, including delays in payment of salaries and statutory benefits to employees.
The plea seeks quashing of the September 18 order and a direction that officials attending the conclave should meet their own expenses.
The Global Ayyappa Sangam, organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board as part of its 75th anniversary, is scheduled to be held on September 20 at Pampa, in association with the Kerala government.
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