Kerala High Court appoints new Devaswom Commissioner for Travancore Devaswom Board

The Kerala High Court recently passed an order directing the appointment of CV Prakash, Additional Secretary in the State's Home Department, as the new Devaswom Commissioner of the Travancore Devaswom Board. .The Division Bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and Harisankar V Menon noted that the position of Devaswom Commissioner was vacant and ordered the appointment of Prakash to fill the role on deputation until May 18, 2025."Among the persons included in the panel, we find that Sri. C.V. Prakash, Additional Secretary to Government, Home Department, who had experience in the Vigilance Department for about 4 years as Under Secretary and Deputy Secretary and experience in the Home Department for about 3 years as Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary, can appointed as the Devaswom Commissioner, Travancore Devaswom Board, on deputation basis, till 18.05.2025, who shall also act as the Member Secretary of the High Power Committee for Implementation of Sabarimala Master Plan," the Court said.It further directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to issue formal orders within two weeks to expedite the appointment..The order was passed in a suo motu case concerning the Travancore Devaswom Board and Cochin Devaswom Board.The Court had initiated the case based on a judgment dated March 25, 2024 which addressed various administrative issues, including the implementation of the Sabarimala Master Plan and the appointment of key officials in the Devaswom Boards.The judgment had also highlighted significant irregularities and embezzlements within the Devaswom Boards' administration..The Court in its latest order also emphasised that future orders by the Travancore Devaswom Board regarding the appointment of the Devaswom Commissioner or extension of term of appointment should be made only with the Court's prior approval."We make it clear that all orders by the Travancore Devaswom Board regarding the appointment of the Devaswom Commissioner, either by promotion or deputation, including the extension of the term of appointment on deputation, shall be made only with the concurrence of this Court, by filing interlocutory applications in this DBP. The Board shall also report to this Court, without any delay, any vacancy in the post of the Devaswom Commissioner," the order said. The matter will be heard next on July 10..[Read Order]