Kerala HC tells TDB to submit all Sabarimala vazhipadu records within 10 days

Kochi: The high court has directed Travancore Devaswom Board to place on record, within 10 days, all records related to the conduct of Ashtabhishekam, Mahanivedhyam, Ganapathy Homam and other vazhipadus at the Sabarimala temple for the past 10 years.

A bench of Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar issued the order in response to the Sabarimala special commissioner’s report concerning financial propriety in the conduct of pujas at the temple, the accountability of senior temple officials, and the overall transparency in the functioning of TDB. According to the report, puja materials for the Nitya Nidana Pooja, as well as pattu, thorthu and vella mundu (white dhoti) used at the Ganapathy Pratishtha and Malikappuram shrines, have been supplied by one Sunil Kumar, alias Sunil Swamy, for several years. The report also alleged that Rs 5.15 lakh had been misappropriated by temple administrative officials in connection with the procurement of puja materials for conducting Ashtabhishekam during the previous six Masapooja occasions, without proper bills or vouchers.

However, in its affidavit, TDB contended that most of the items required for offerings are perishable and, therefore, have to be procured from places where such articles are available as and when required. It further stated that a lump sum amount, lower than the prevailing market rate, is paid towards the cost of several materials and that there is no requirement to produce purchase bills or vouchers.

HC, meanwhile, noted a serious allegation that administrative officials had charged Rs 300 per puja towards the procurement of materials for Ashtabhishekam, despite some of the materials having been supplied by Sunil Swamy, for which payment had already been made. The court further observed that the affidavit completely failed to address the allegation regarding whether the claims had been made for materials already supplied by Sunil Swamy.

The court also directed TDB to produce complete particulars of the materials allegedly supplied by Sunil Swamy or any other sponsor during the past 10 years, along with all relevant records. The audit department has also been directed to undertake an independent examination of the records and submit a detailed report on whether the existing system contains adequate checks and balances to prevent misuse, duplication of claims, loss of revenue, misappropriation of funds, or any other irregularities. Accordingly, HC adjourned the petition to June 19.