'Grossly Unholy Practice In A Holy Place': Kerala High Court Backs TDB Decision To End Officers Acting As Suppliers In Sabarimala

The Kerala High Court recently closed suo motu proceedings concerning the procurement of pooja materials for Sabarimala rituals after the Travancore Devaswom Board's (TDB) decision to end the long-standing practice of Administrative Officers procuring Vazhipadu (offerings) materials. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 400]Calling the arrangement a "grossly unholy practice in a holy place", the Court directed the Board to implement similar procurement reforms across all temples under its administration. The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar noted that the TDB had resolved that all materials required for Vazhipadus at Sabarimala would henceforth be procured, stored and issued exclusively through the Central Store, thereby discontinuing the practice of the Administrative Officer procuring items such as milk, tender coconuts and panineer.In the decision, it was also stated that the entire inventory management and transactions of the Store would be fully digitized and that the materials materials received from sponsors would be accepted only through the Central Store against DFF No. 3 receipts. Moreover, the materials received from sponsors would be subjected to strict quality checks by the Food Safety Officers at Sannidhanam.The Court directed the TDB to faithfully implement the Board's decision and undertake a comprehensive review of procurement practices in all other temples under its administration to ensure that similar arrangements, if any, are discontinued.“We direct the Board to undertake a comprehensive review of the procurement practice followed in all other temples under its administrative and to ensure that similar arrangements, if existing elsewhere, are discontinued in a phased and time-bound manner so as to eliminate avenues for arbitrariness, favouritism and corruption.”The Court also criticized the practice of the Administrative Officer sourcing items:“We are firm in our view that the practice of permitting an officer of the Devaswom Board to function simultaneously as a supplier or contractor is wholly inappropriate and has no place in the administration of a public religious institution. Such an arrangement is a grossly unholy practice in a holy place. The said practice violates the principles of transparency, accountability and institutional integrity, and gives rise to conflicts of interest and the distinct possibility of abuse of official position.”Earlier, the Court had directed the State Audit Department to examine procurement practices relating to major Sabarimala Vazhipadus over the previous ten years. It had also directed the State Audit Department to conduct audit into the conduct of Ashtabhishekams during the past 10 years.The Court noted that in the Audit department's statement, it is stated that devotees are charged Rs. 6000 for conducting Ashtabhishekam of which Rs. 300 is for procuring the materials. It was also reported that no loss has been sustained to the Devaswom Board since the total amount for the Ashtabhishekam ritual was remitted to it whereas only the admissible supplier cost was claimed by the OfficerThe Audit Department found that no stock register, ledger, purchase bills or supporting records were maintained for milk, tender coconuts and panineer procured directly by the Administrative Officer and recommended proper stock accounting and procurement through the Central Store.With respect to the other major rituals, it was noted from the Audit Department's report that since supporting documents were not received, the audit could not ascertain the actual expenditure incurred.The Audit Department recommended sourcing of all materials for all rituals through the Devaswom main store itself. Additional recommendations were made by the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer also.Taking note of the audit findings, the recommendations of the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, and the Board's decision to overhaul the procurement system, the Court directed strict implementation of the reforms and closed the proceedings.Case No: SSCR No. 14 of 2026Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 400Counsel for the respondents: S. Rajmohan – Senior Government Pleader, G. Biju – Standing Counsel – TDB, K.R. Sunil – Special Government Pleader, DevaswomAmicus Curiae: Sayujya RadhakrishnanClick to Read/Download Judgment

'Grossly Unholy Practice In A Holy Place': Kerala High Court Backs TDB Decision To End Officers Acting As Suppliers In Sabarimala

K. Salma Jennath

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K. Salma Jennath

'Grossly Unholy Practice In A Holy Place': Kerala High Court Backs TDB Decision To End Officers Acting As Suppliers In Sabarimala

K. Salma Jennath

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K. Salma Jennath

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