Temple Accounts Digitisation: Kerala High Court Adds KSITIL As Party, Seeks Proof Of Technical Expertise

The Kerala High Court on Friday (16 January) impleaded the Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited (KSITIL) in the ongoing petition regarding embezzlement of ₹40 lakh from a Petrol Pump at Nilakkal, a base camp of Sabarimala. A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar passed the order. The Court has previously ordered digitalisation of all temple accounts. Pursuant to this, the counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) submitted that the Board has resolved to entrust the task of preparation of the Request for Proposal (RFP) to KSITIL as a technical consultant. The TDB has also proposed to complete the selection process and award the contract to the successful IT service provider on or before 30 April, 2026. The Court thus impleaded the KSITIL as an additional respondent to the petition, considering the far-reaching institutional, financial, and governance implications of the proposed digitisation initiative. The Court has also expressed reservations over whether KSITIL possesses the requisite technical expertise to prepare an enterprise-grade Request for Proposal (RFP) for the comprehensive digitisation of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). “Having regard to the scale, complexity, and systemic impact of the proposed digitisation exercise, this Court is presently not satisfied as to whether KSITIL possesses the requisite domain expertise, demonstrable prior experience, and technical capacity to conceptualise, architect, and prepare an enterprise-grade RFP of the nature contemplated in the earlier orders of this Court.” Court noted. It thus directed the technical lead of the project responsible for the preparation of the RFP on behalf of KSITIL to be present virtually on 28 January to enable the Court to meaningfully assess the technical competence, institutional preparedness, and prior experience of KSITIL. The matter has been posted for further consideration on January 28, 2026.Case Title: Joint Director v The Secretary, Travancore Dewaswom BoardCase No: DBAR 2/ 2018Counsel for Respondent: G Biju (SC - Travancore Devaswom Board), O M Shalina (DSGI), K A Abdul SalamClick Here To Read/ Download Interim Order

Temple Accounts Digitisation: Kerala High Court Adds KSITIL As Party, Seeks Proof Of Technical Expertise

Anamika MJ

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