P.S. BABU SURESH @ SURESH PADAKARA v. COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD

THE TEMPLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AZHAKIYAKAVU TEMPLE, PALLURUTHI NADA, PALLURUTHI P.O., KOCHI, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT SRI. A.G.SURA, PIN 682 006 – SRI.SURENDRA NATHA MENON, AGE AND FATHER’S NAME NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, THORODATHU HOUSE, PALLURUTHI NADA, PALLURUTHI P.O, KOCHI, KERALA, PIN 682 006 – SMT. USHA SURENDRA NATHA MENON, AGE NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, W/O. SURENDRA NATHA MENON, THORODATHU HOUSE, PALLURUTHI NADA, PALLURUTHI P.O KOCHI, KERALA, PIN 682 006 – W.P.(C)No.39955 of 2023 2 *ADDL.R7 THE STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, REVENUE (DEVASWOM) DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN 695 001. * ADDL.R8 THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, STATE AUDIT DEPARTMENT, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD AUDIT, ROUND NORTH, THRISSUR, PIN - 680 001 [ADDL.R7 AND R8 ARE SUO MOTU IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DATED 19/12/2023 IN WP(C) No.39955/2023] * ADDL.R9 THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, PALLURUTHY POLICE STATION, PALLURUTHY PO, KOCHI-682 006 * ADDL.R10 DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KOCHI-682 011 [ADDL.R9 AND R10 ARE SUO MOTU IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DATED 05.01.2024 IN W.P.(C) No.39955 of 2023] BY ADVS. P. SREEKUMAR K.N. SATHEESAN(K/33/2011) STEPHANIE SHARON(K/303/2022) HELEN P.A.(K/000084/2019) ATHUL ROY(K/1345/2022) NITHIN ANTONY JOSE(K/002619/2023) SRI S. RAJMOHAN- SR GOVERNMENT PLEADER; SRI K.P. SUDHEER- STANDING COUNSEL- COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 05.01.2024, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: W.P.(C)No.39955 of 2023 3 Anil K. Narendran, J. JUDGMENT The petitioner, who is a devotee of Azhakiyakavu Bhagavathi Temple, Palluruthy, which is a temple under the management of the 1st respondent Cochin Devaswom Board has filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following reliefs: “i) Issue of writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order or direction, commanding 1st respondent to reclaim the salary of Rs.5,68,600 paid to 6th respondent; ii) Issue of writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order or direction, commanding 3rd respondent to audit the accounts of Pulavanibha Mela held on January, 2023 and produce before this Hon’ble Court; iii) Issue of a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order or direction, commanding 3rd respondent to take steps to record the name, address, rent and the details of products they sell in Azhakiyakavu Bhagavathi Temple ground in the upcoming Pulavanibha Mela, in a separate register; iv) Issue of writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order or direction, commanding 1st respondent to conduct Pulavanibha Mela directly by inviting the Tribes of India and the Bamboo Corporation to promote tribal products as well as products manufactured by the Scheduled Castes of Kerala; v) Petitioners also prays that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to dispense with the English translation of the exhibits those are produced in Malayalam. W.P.(C)No.39955 of 2023 4 vi) Grant the petitioners such other appropriate reliefs that this Hon’ble Court may deem fit to grant. vii) Award the petitioners the cost of this writ petition.”

2. On 19.12.2023, when this writ petition came up for admission, this court noticed that the maintainability of some of the reliefs sought for in this writ petition will have to be decided at a later stage, since the larger issue raised by the petitioner is regarding the conduct of the Pulavanibha Mela in the Vela-Veli Ground of Azhakiyakavu Bhagavathi Temple, Palluruthy, which is a temple under the management of the Cochin Devaswom Board. The State of Kerala, represented by the Secretary to Government, Revenue (Devaswom) Department and the Deputy Director, State Audit Department were impleaded as additional respondents 7 and 8. The learned Standing Counsel for Cochin Devaswom Board took notice on admission for respondents 1 to 3 and the learned Senior Government Pleader took notice for additional respondents 7 and 8. Notice by special messenger was ordered to respondents 4 to 6, returnable by 03.01.2024. The learned Standing Counsel for the Cochin Devaswom Board and also the learned Senior Government Pleader were directed to get instructions on the conduct of Pulavanibha Mela in Vela-Veli Ground of Azhakiyakavu Bhagavathi Temple, Palluruthy.

3. Today, when this matter is taken up for consideration, W.P.(C)No.39955 of 2023 5 the petitioner has filed I.A. No.1 of 2024, producing therewith Ext.P31 photograph regarding erection of temporary stalls in front of Sree Moola Sthaanam of Azhakiyakavu Bhagavathi Temple, Palluruthy.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Standing Counsel for the Cochin Devaswom Board for respondents 1 to 3, the learned Senior Government Pleader for additional respondents 7 to 8 and also the learned counsel for the 4th respondent Temple Advisory Committee. Despite service of notice, none appears for respondents 5 and 6.

5. The learned Senior Government Pleader would point out that the issue regarding ownership of Vela Veli Ground of Azhakiyakavu Bhagavathi Temple, Palluruthy is the subject matter in W.P.(C)No.33115 of 2023, filed by the Cochin Devaswom Board, in which this Court has granted an interim order. That writ petition is pending consideration.

6. The learned Standing Counsel the Cochin Devaswom Board would point out Ext.P6 proceedings dated

31.12.2022 of the 2nd respondent Assistant Commissioner regarding the conduct of Pulavanibha Mela of the year 1198 ME (2023). The said proceedings read thus: “2023 ജനുവരിയിൽ (1193 എം.ഇ. വർഷ്തെ) അഴകിയകാവ് W.P.(C)No.39955 of 2023 6 താല്തപാലി പുലവാണിഭമേളമയാടനുബ്യി്ച് താ്തഴ പറയു്ര നിർമേശ്ങൾപുറ്തപടുവി്കു്രു.

1.താല്തപാലി, പുലവാണിദ മേളമയാടനുബ്യി്ച് നടെു്ര എലലാ പരിപാടികളുമടയും, വരവ്-ചിലവ് കണ്കുകൾ ചാർമേഡ് അ്കൗ്ᩂ് ഓഡി്റ് ്തച്ⴻത് മദവസ്വം ഓഫീസ്ർ്ക് നൽമക്ᩂതാണ്.

2.പുലവാണിഭ മേളയിൽ നടെു്ര കടയുടേയു്തട മപരും, വിലാസ്വും, മഫാൺ ന്ᩘറും, വാടകയും പ്പമതേകം രജി്ഹറിൽ എഴുതി സ്ൂ്ഷിമ്ക്ᩂതാണ്.

3.ആമ ാഷ്ങളു്തട ഭാഗോയി നടെു്ര ആന എഴു്ര്ളിപിനും, ്തവടി്ത്കേിനും കലാപരിപാടികൾ്കും നിയോനുസ്േതോയ അനുവാദം ജിലലാഭരണകൂടം, മഫാറ്ഹ്, മപാലീസ് വകുപിൽ നി്ര് വാമ്ങ്ᩂതാണ്.

4.പുലവാണിഭ മേള നടെു്ര ്ഽലെ് ോലിനേനിമ്ഷപം പാടിലല.”

7. The learned Standing Counsel would submit that the directions contained in Ext.P6 proceedings of the 2nd respondent Assistant Commissioner shall continue to govern the Pulavanibha Mela in Vela Veli Ground for the year 1199 ME (2024), which is scheduled to be held on 10.01.2024 and 11.01.2024.

8. The learned Standing Counsel would also point out Ext.P8 reply dated 17.02.2023 submitted by the 4th respondent Temple Advisory Committee of Azhakiyakavu Bhagavathi Temple before the 3rd respondent Devaswom Officer, Azhakiyakavu Devaswom. The said reply reads thus: “രാജഭരണകാലം േുതൽ മ്ഷപ്പമവശന വിളംബരവുോയി ബ്യ്തപേ് നട്കു്ര ഒരു ചട്ങാണ് പുലമനർ്ച. മ്ഷപ്തപ്പമവശനം നിഷി്ധോയിരു്ര ഒരു കാല േെിൽ അവർ്ᩆ വിഭാഗെിൽ്തപേ ആളുകൾ്ക് മ്ഷപ്തദർശനം W.P.(C)No.39955 of 2023 7 നടെു്രതിനും അവർ ്തകാ്ᩂുവരു്ര കാർഷിക ഉൽപ്ര്ങൾ, പായ, േുറം, േൺചേികൾ േുതലായവ മ്ഷപ്തപരിസ്രെ് വി്റഴി്കു്രതിനും േലയാള വർഷം ധനുോസ്െി്തല അവസ്ാന്തെ വോഴാ്ⴼച ്തകാ്ചി േഹാരാജാവ് അനുേതി നൽകിയിരു്രു. കാലാനുസ്ൃതോയ ോ്റ്ങൾ്ക് വിമധയോയി കുറ്ചുകൂടി വിപുലോയി ഇ്ര് ഈ ചട്ങ് നടെ്തപടു്രു. കാല്ങളായി ്തകാ്ചിൻ മദവസ്വം മബാർഡ് രൂപികരി്കു്ര സ്േിതികളാണ് ഇതിനുമവ്ᩂ സ്ഹായ സ്ഹകരണ്ങൾ നൽകിവരു്രത്. ഇ്ത്കാലലം മബാർഡ് രൂപികരി്ച മ്ഷപ്ത ഉപമദശക സ്േിതിയാണ് ഇതിനുമവ്ᩂ സ്ഹായ്ങൾ ്തച്ⴻതു്തകാടുെത്. പുലമനർ്ചമയാട് അനുബ്യി്ച് നടെു്ര ക്ചവടെിന് ്ഽലം അള്രു്തകാടു്കുകമയാ േുൻകൂർ തുക കകപ്റുകമയാ സ്േിതി ്തച്യാറിലല. ക്ചടവടെിന് മശഷം മ്ഷപ്തദർശനം നടെി താല്തപാലി്ക് മവ്ᩂി യഥാശ്വി സ്ംഭാവനകൾ നൽകി േട്ങുകയാണ് പതിവ്. മ്ഷപ്തവുോയി ബ്യ്തപേ് പ്ശീമകാവിലിനു്ളിൽ ഉെരവാദിതവ്തപേ പൂജാരി ോർ്ക് ോപ്തോണ് പ്പമവശനേു്ളത്. മ്ഷപ്ത ്തവളിയിൽ മകാർപമറഷൻ ്ഽാപി്ചിരി്കു്ര കഹോസ് കല്റ് കൂടാ്തത മവ്ᩂിവരു്ര ്തവളി്ചവും ആവശേോയ ്തവ്ളവും േ്റ് പ്പാഥേിക സ്ൗകരേ്ങളും, അതിന് മശഷം മ്ഷപ്ത ്തവളി വൃെിയായി സ്ംര്ഷി്കു്രതും അതാത് കാല േ്ങളി്തല സ്േിതികൾ ്തച്ⴻതു ്തകാടു്കുകയാണ് കീ്ⴼവഴ്കം. ഇെവണയും ഉപമദശകസ്േിതി ഈ കാരേ്ങൾ വള്തര ഭംഗിയായി ്തച്ⴻത് ്തകാടുെിേു്ᩂ്.”

9. As already noticed in the order dated 19.12.2023, the larger issue raised in the writ petition regarding the conduct of the Pulavanibha Mela of 1199 ME (2024) in Vela-Veli Ground of Azhakiyakavu Bhagavathi Temple alone can be considered in this W.P.(C)No.39955 of 2023 8 writ petition. The 1st relief sought for in this writ petition is left open to be raised before the appropriate authority, at appropriate stage.

10. Insofar as the conduct of the Pulavanibha Mela of 1199 ME (2024) is concerned, it is for the 3rd respondent Devaswom Officer to take necessary steps to ensure that the entire activity in connection with the mela is conducted strictly in terms of the directions contained in Ext.P6 proceedings dated

31.12.2022 of the 2nd respondent Assistant Commissioner. There shall not be any unauthorised collection of money from any trader, by any committee. The entire activity in relation to Pulavanibha Mela shall be managed by the 3rd respondent Devaswom Officer, under the supervision of the 2nd respondent Assistant Commissioner, with necessary assistance from the 4th respondent Temple Advisory Committee. The erection of temporary structures in connection with Pulavanibha Mela shall be at places identified by the 2nd respondent Assistant Commissioner. During the Mela, the Vela-Veli Ground of Azhakiyakavu Bhagavathi Temple shall be maintained neat and tidy. Additional respondents 9 and 10 shall evolve a proper crowd management scheme for Pulavanibha Mela and for proper maintenance of law and order during the Mela. With the above W.P.(C)No.39955 of 2023 9 directions, this writ petition is disposed of. It is made clear that the directions in this judgment are issued without prejudice to the rival contentions in W.P.(C) No.33115 of 2023. Sd/- ANIL K. NARENDRAN, JUDGE Sd/- G. GIRISH, JUDGE W.P.(C)No.39955 of 2023 10 APPENDIX OF WP(C) 39955/2023 PETITIONER EXHIBITS EXHIBIT P1 EXHIBIT P2 EXHIBIT P3 EXHIBIT P4 EXHIBIT P5 EXHIBIT P6 EXHIBIT P7 EXHIBIT P8 EXHIBIT P9 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 18.11.2011 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT A TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF THE VIGILANCE REPORT DATED 25.01.2016 SUBMITTED BY THE VIGILANCE OFFICER OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT TO THE SPECIAL DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT OBTAINED UNDER RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT WITH LEGIBLE COPY TRUE COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS DATED NIL SHOWING THE 5TH RESPONDENT ADDRESSING LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL DURING PULAVANIBHA MELA OF 2023 JANUARY A TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY DATED 10.04.2022 GIVEN BY THALAPPOLI AGHOSHA COMMITTEE TO THE 3RD RESPONDENT A TRUE COPY OF APPLICATION DATED 03.05.2022 SUBMITTED BY SRI.P.C.UNNIKRISHNAN, SECRETARY OF AZHAKIYA KAVU TEMPLE LAND PROTECTION COMMITTEE BEFORE THE CHIEF VIGILANCE OFFICER OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT A TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF 2ND RESPONDENT DATED 31.12.2022 A TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION DATED 18.01.2023 SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD UNDER RTI ACT A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 17.02.2023 SENT BY DEVASWOM OFFICER OF 1ST RESPONDENT TO THE 4TH RESPONDENT A TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY DATED 22.02.2022 GIVEN BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER UNDER RTI ACT EXHIBIT P10 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY DATED 20.06.2022 GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY,THALAPPOLI AGHOSHA COMMITTEE TO THE 3RD RESPONDENT EXHIBIT P11 TRUE COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS DATED 13.10.2023 SHOWING THE CONDITION OF TOILETS IN THE GROUND OF PALLURUTHY AZHAKIYAKAVU BHAGAVATHI TEMPLE EXHIBIT P12 A TRUE COPY OF PHOTOGRAPH DATED 13.10.2023 SHOWING THE CONDITION OF WATER TAPS IN PALLURUTHY AZHAKIYAKAVU BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE EXHIBIT P13 TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY DATED 11.05.2022 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER UNDER RTI W.P.(C)No.39955 of 2023 11 EXHIBIT P14 A TRUE COPY OF COMPLAINT DATED 18.05.2022 SUBMITTED BY SRI.P.C.UNNIKRISHNAN, SECRETARY OF AZHAKIYA KAVU LAND PROTECTION COMMITTEE BEFORE THE CHIEF VIGILANCE OFFICER OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT EXHIBIT P15 A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT DATED

21.11.2022 SENT BY SRI. P.C.UNNIKRISHNAN BEFORE THE SUPERINDENT OF POLICE(VIGILANCE & ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU, KOCHI) EXHIBIT P16 A TRUE COPY OF THE MEMO DATED 15.12.2022 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT WITH LEGIBLE COPY EXHIBIT P17 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPORT DATED 11.05.2023 SUBMITTED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT BEFORE THE DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT EXHIBIT P18 A TRUE COPY OF REPLY NO.C-16/21 DATED

16.05.2023 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER WITH LEGIBLE COPY EXHIBIT P19 A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT DATED

25.05.2023 SENT BY SRI.P.C.UNNIKRISHNAN, SECRETARY OF AZHAKIYA KAVU TEMPLE LAND PROTECTION COMMITTEE BEFORE THE SPECIAL DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT EXHIBIT P20 A TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION DATED

14.06.2023 SUBMITTED BY SRI.P.C.UNNIKRISHNAN BEFORE THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE,VIGILANCE AND ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU ,ERNAKULAM EXHIBIT P21 A TRUE COPY OF PHOTOGRAPH DATED 19.01.2022 WHICH SHOWS GARBAGES THROWN IN THE AZHAKIYAKAVU TEMPLE GROUND DURING PULAVANIBHA MELA EXHIBIT P22 TRUE COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS DATED 14.01.2023 WHICH SHOWS THE CONDITION OF AZHAKIYAKAVU TEMPLE GROUND DURING PULAVANIBHA MELA EXHIBIT P23 TRUE COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS DATED 17.01.2023 EXHIBIT P24 TRUE COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS DATED 19.01.2023 WHICH SHOWS THE CONDITION OF THE GROUND WHICH SHOWS THE WASTE THROWN TO THE TEMPLE GROUND EXHIBIT P25 A TRUE COPY OF FIR NO. 0820/2023 DATED 27.03.2023 LODGED BY PALLURUTHY KASABA POLICE STATION EXHIBIT P26 A TRUE COPY OF PHOTOGRAPH DATED 29.10.2023 SHOWING THE VEHICLE PARKED INFRONT OF THE PETITIONER’S HOUSE EXHIBIT P27 A TRUE COPY OF FIR NO.3006/2023 DATED

08.10.2023 LODGED IN PALLURUTHY KASABA POLICE STATION W.P.(C)No.39955 of 2023 12 EXHIBIT P28 A TRUE COPY OF PHOTOGRAPH DATED 30.10.2023 SHOWING THE VEHICLE PARKED IN PALLURUTHY AZHAKIYAKAVU TEMPLE COMPOUND EXHIBIT P29 TRUE COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS DATED 26.02.2020 SHOWING THE ATTEMPT MADE BY VISWANATHA BHATT AND SONI.K.FRANCIS FOR DESTROYING THE PAVEMENTS IN AZHAKIYAKAVU TEMPLE EXHIBIT P30 A TRUE COPY OF PHOTOGRAPH DATED 21.05.2020 SHOWING THE ATTACK MADE BY VISWANATHA BHATT TO THE SRI.P.C.UNNIKRISHNAN, SECRETARY OF AZHAKIYAKAVU LAND PROTECTION COMMITTEE EXHIBIT P31 TRUE COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS DATED NIL SHOWING THE INSTALLATION OF TEMPERORY STALLS INFRONT OF SREE MOOLA STHAANAM IN PALLURUTHI AZHAKIYAKAVU TEMPLE