Jayakumar J. vs. The State Of Kerala
Held
The High Court ruled that temple premises under the Travancore Devaswom Board's management cannot be used for non-religious programs like 'Nava Kerala Sadas'. It found the Board failed its statutory duties and flouted relevant rules, setting aside the permission granted and ordering removal of temporary structures.
Facts
Devotees challenged the Travancore Devaswom Board's decision to permit the 'Nava Kerala Sadas', a governmental program, on the Devaswom land of Chakkuvally Sree Parabrahma Temple. They contended that using temple premises for non-religious activities violated the sanctity of the temple and statutory provisions.
Key Issues
The core issue was whether the Travancore Devaswom Board could legally permit a non-religious, governmental program on temple land, in light of the Acts and Rules governing Hindu religious institutions and places of worship.
Sections Cited
Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950 (Section 15A, Section 31), Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Act, 1965, Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965 (Rule 6, Rule 8)
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G. GIRISH FRIDAY, THE 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2023/24TH AGRAHAYANA, 1945 W.P.(C)NO.41819 OF 2023 PETITIONERS:
1 JAYAKUMAR J., AGED 60 YEARS, S/O. JANARDHANAN N., RESIDING AT KARAMEL VADAKKATHIL VEEDU, THURUTHIKKARA P.O., KUNNATHOOR, KOLLAM, PIN - 690540 2 OMANAKUTTAN PILLAI B., AGED 60 YEARS, S/O. BHASKARAN PILLAI, RESIDING AT ANOOP BHAVANAM, KIDANGAYAM, KANNIMEL NORTH, MYNAGAPPALLY P.O., KOLLAM, PIN - 690515
BY ADVS. J.VISHNU SAJITH KUMAR V.
RESPONDENTS:
1 THE STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT, REVENUE (DEVASWOM DEPARTMENT), GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695001 2 THE TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, DEVASWOM BOARD HEADQUARTERS, NANATHANCODE, KAWDIAR P. O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003 3 ASSISTANT DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, KARUNAGAPPALLY GROUP, CHAKKUVALLY, KOLLAM, PIN - 691001
W.P.(C)Nos.41819 and 42081 of 2023 2
4 THE SUB GROUP OFFICER, TRAVANCORE DEVASW
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