[Sabarimala Corruption] Kerala High Court initiates suo motu case on allegations of fake bills, disbanding of Devaswom Vigilance

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday initiated a suo motu case to examine the alleged large scale corruption behind fake bills submitted by the Travancore Devaswom Board and subsequent disbanding of the Devaswom Vigilance Wing..A Division Bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajithkumar took up the matter after reports in Malayalam Daily, Mathrubhumi, alleged huge corruption and involvement of top officials in the disbanding of the Vigilance team of the Devaswom Board. The report claimed that move was allegedly spearheaded by those fearing arrest if the fake bills at the Sabarimala guest house and the irregularities in the construction of some toilets were discovered. Subsequently, four officers, including two sub-inspectors, were removed from the Vigilance Wing of the Devaswom Board. Only the Superintendent of Police, who is soon to retire, was retained and the rest of the officers were returned to the Police department. The Court noted that the news report further claimed that the Vigilance Wing found inflated bills for food that was provided to the dignitaries and higher officials staying in the guest house. Fearing repercussions in case of a Devaswom Vigilance investigation, which could implicate senior Devaswom officials, the cases were handed over to State Vigilance, the Court noted..The Division Bench, in a different matter, had passed an order on January 2022 by which it had granted permission to extend the period of deputation of the Chief Vigilance Officer in the Vigilance Wing of the Travancore Devaswom Board, till March 31, 2022.In said order, the Court had stated that the Chief Vigilance Officer has to effectively monitor and control all the officers of the Vigilance Wing of the Travancore Devaswom Board, who are posted at Sabarimala and to guide them by giving effective directions to prevent pilferage from the collections accrued from Appam and Aravana sales, Bhandaram, Annadanam, etc. The Court noted that the Vigilance Wing, headed by the Chief Vigilance Officer unearthed evidence of forgery of documents and huge misappropriation of funds. This was allegedly done at the hands of the Administrative Officer, Nilakkal during the period from 2018-19 by way of purchase of materials for the mess run by the Devaswom at Nilakkal. Pursuant to the report of the Vigilance wing, the Travancore Devaswom Board forwarded the matter to State Vigilance and a crime was registered by the Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau, under Sections 420, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1) (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. While investigation in the case has been progressing, the Court noted that the Vigilance Wing had detected several other instances of malpractices..Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board pointed out that at present, the Vigilance Wing of the Board consists of the Chief Vigilance Officer and one officer in the cadre of sub-inspector.The Government Pleader submitted that the other officers were returned to the Police department, since their period of deputation was over, and there was no request by the Devaswom Board for extension of their period of deputation..The Court directed the Amicus Curiae to get instructions regarding the matter from the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala.The matter will be taken up next on February 3..[Read Order]