'Wholly Unacceptable': Kerala High Court Raps Devaswom Board Over Poor Sanitation At Chottanikkara Temple Despite ₹2–4 Crore Monthly Income

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (February 25) pulled up the Cochin Devaswom Board for not taking effective steps to carry out the Suchitwa Mission's recommendations to maintain cleanliness in Chottanikkara Temple inspite of having monthly income of ₹2 to ₹4 crores.It also directed the Board to designate a Nodal Officer and team of officers to implement the same in a time-bound mannerThe Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar was considering a suo motu petition based on a complaint alleging corruption, maladministration, absence of basic amenities, misconduct by temple staff, deterioration in quality of offerings to the deity, financial irregularities, etc.The Court observed that the temple's monthly income is between ₹2 to ₹4 crores and sanitation and hygiene cannot be neglected anymore, especially since the Board employs one Engineer and twenty staff members in the temple premises itself.“We are informed that the temple generates a monthly income of approximately two crores, which increases to four crores or more during festival seasons. Given such substantial revenue, the continued neglect of basic sanitation and hygiene is wholly unacceptable… We are informed that the Devaswom Board maintains a unit within the temple premises consisting of one Engineer and more than twenty staff members. However, in the report submitted by the Devaswom Commissioner, while it is stated that steps would be taken to implement the recommendations of the Suchitwa Mission, the actual measures undertaken so far fall far short of what is required,” the Court added.Yesterday, the complainant had produced photographs of the temple premises and the water dispenser in the temple, which portrayed a situation of lack of basic hygiene. Perusing the same, the Court remarked:“The images are deeply disturbing and present a most unsatisfactory state of affairs. They indicate that, despite repeated judicial directions, effective measures have not been taken by the responsible officers to ensure cleanliness.” The Court had earlier passed orders directing the Suchitwa Mission to conduct a cleanliness audit in the temple and to frame a sustainable sanitation plan. The Temple Advisory Committee was also directed to coordinate to ensure that remedial measures are carried out immediately.The Court examined the Suchitwa Mission's report, split into three parts – solid waste management practices and proposed improvements; liquid waste management; and strategies for information, education and communication. Satisfied with the same, the Court urged that these recommendations ought to be carried out in letter and spirit by the Devaswom Board.Earlier this month, the Court had directed the Devaswom Board to make a detailed statement as to the manner and the timeframe within which it can carry out the Suchitwa Mission's recommendation. However, looking at the report of the Devaswom Commissioner, the Court felt that the actual measures taken came short of what is needed.The Court then directed the Standing Counsel for the Board to name a competent officer and responsible officer, who can be Nodal Officer for the project and, team that can work under him to ensure time-bound implementation of the Suchitwa Mission's suggestions. The Board is also to submit its view on the implementation framework so as to ensure compliance with the Court's directions without any more delay. Case No: DBP No. 52 of 2025 and connected casesCase Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors. and connected casesClick to Read/Download Interim Order

'Wholly Unacceptable': Kerala High Court Raps Devaswom Board Over Poor Sanitation At Chottanikkara Temple Despite ₹2–4 Crore Monthly Income

K. Salma Jennath

Tags