Court Directs Travancore Devaswom Board to Address Financial Discrepancies and Ensure Procedural Compliance
In a landmark judgment, the Kerala High Court has issued stringent directives to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to ensure financial transparency and procedural compliance in the conduct of the Global Conclave of Ayyappa Devotees. This follows the court's suo motu initiative to examine the financial management of the event held on September 20, 2025.
Presided over by Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar, the court underscored the need for detailed, clear, and transparent accounts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining financial discipline and accountability. The judgment addressed several glaring financial discrepancies and procedural lapses identified in the Auditor's Report prepared by Vijayan and Associates.
Key issues highlighted include the award of contracts without tender or competitive bidding, inadequate documentation of expenditures, discrepancies between Bill of Quantity (BOQ) and Joint Measurement Sheets (JMS), and unaccounted items from the Board’s stock. The court also noted a lack of clarity in the accounting of sponsorship income and the treatment of GST input tax credit.
The court has demanded detailed explanations from the Travancore Devaswom Board regarding these discrepancies and directed the Kerala State Audit Department to provide clarifications. The judgment emphasizes the preservation of the sanctity of Sabarimala, safeguarding its ecology, and ensuring financial and institutional accountability in the management of religious events.
The court's decision is seen as a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the administration of public and religious institutions. The next hearing is scheduled for February 27, 2026, by which time the Travancore Devaswom Board is expected to submit the required documentation and explanations.
Bottom Line:
Directions issued by the High Court to ensure financial transparency and procedural compliance in the conduct of the Global Conclave of Ayyappa Devotees by the Travancore Devaswom Board, including maintenance of detailed accounts, auditing, and addressing discrepancies in financial records and procedures.
Statutory provision(s): Financial Transparency, Procedural Compliance, Public Administration, Preservation of Sanctity, Institutional Accountability
Suo Motu v. State of Kerala, (Kerala)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2878274
