NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday appointed a retired judge of the Kerala High Court Justice K Ramakrishnan as an administrator to conduct administration and management elections of the ancient Oachira Parabrahma Temple at Kollam and its allied institutions in a free and fair manner.
A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and R Mahadevan noted the temple was unique, ancient and historical, spreading across a sprawling of 21.25 acre and had a hospital, a nursing college and a nursing school to cater to the needs of the general public.
SC Orders Fair Elections for Oachira Temple Management Under Retired Judge’s Supervision
"In the given facts, it is imperative to restore, protect and preserve temples and their properties with utmost care," the bench felt.
The court ordered the administrator would commence the election process by finalising and publishing the voters' list and complete the exercise strictly in accordance with the bye-laws of the temple within four months.
The appellants, elected as Secretary and President respectively of the executive committee in the election held during May 2017, claimed Justice A V Ramakrishna Pillai, a retired Kerala HC judge, appointed as the administrative head, had not understood the ground realities and visited the temple, essentially required to resolve the problems and streamline the development.
Supreme Court Steps In: New Administrator Appointed for Kollam’s Ancient Temple Elections
The bench said it was an admitted fact that the suit for framing of scheme for the temple was pending before the district court and stood at the stage of final decree.
"In such circumstances, we feel that it is just and necessary to conduct election under the aegis of a new administrative head/administrator, for the smooth and effective administration of the subject temple and the institutions thereunder, which proposition has been agreed upon by the senior counsel appearing on behalf of all the parties," the court said.
The court allowed the administrative head to approach the trial court for any clarification or directions relating to conduct of election, administration and management of the temple and its institutions.
"In view of the order thus being passed by us, the administrative head/administrator/advocate commissioner appointed by the high court, ceases to exist and hence, they are directed to hand over the charge/accounts to the newly appointed administrative head/administrator with immediate effect," the bench said.
The court directed the newly appointed administrator/administrative head to manage the affairs of the temple/samithis until the election(s) is/are held and shall handover the charge to the elected body.
The existing arrangements relating to the functions, duties and affairs of the temple and its institutions would continue, until further orders from the trial court, it said.
The court also directed the trial to complete the final decree proceedings in the suit filed for framing of scheme as expeditiously as possible. The court scheduled the matter after four months for reporting compliance.
