Kochi, | The Kerala High Court on Wednesday noted that there were several issues and "serious inconsistencies" in the audit report of the Global Ayyappa Sangam held last year and directed the TDB to explain the reasons for the same.
A bench of justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar also noted that the monetary value of certain items, like 'aravana', appam, vibhuti, kumkum and sandalwood, given to devotees and participants at the event has not been accounted for in the book of accounts.
"Having perused the auditor’s report placed before us pursuant to the directions issued by this court, and noting the nature of the qualifications and observations recorded therein, we are of the view that explanations and clarifications are required not only from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) but also from the Kerala State Audit Department,...
"... so that appropriate directions may be considered and issued by this court in the matter of financial accountability and procedural compliance," the bench said and listed the matter on February 27.
The audit report was placed before the court as directed by it while dismissing the petitions challenging the Global Ayyappa Sangam.
After perusing the report, the bench said it highlighted various issues like execution of the work being given to the Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction (IIIC) without a tender or bidding process on an expenditure plus 10 per cent facilitating or administrative charge.
"The question that arises for consideration is whether the allocation of work and the payment of charges in the aforesaid manner are procedurally and financially in order," the court asked.
As per the report, there were also "serious inconsistencies" between the Bill of Quantity (BOQ) and the Joint Measurement Sheets (JMS) with regard to wooden frame centre tables and food serving charges in VIP areas, among others, the bench noted.
"The auditor has also recorded that agreements, commission structures, or 'centage' charges paid to subcontractors could not be verified due to the absence of supporting documentation," it said.
"There are also issues with regard to GST input credit as well," the court said.
It also said that the Special Commissioner has further noted that details relating to sponsorship income amounting to Rs 2 crore have not been furnished in the report.
"It has also been pointed out that a sum of Rs 2 crore drawn from the Travancore Devaswom Board general fund for the conduct of the event has not been recouped so far," the bench said.
The observations and directions of the bench came on a plea initiated by the court on its own based on the audit report.eb 11 (PTI) eb 11 (PTI)
Kochi | The Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered the vigilance wing of the TDB to investigate the alleged financial malpractices involving casual labourers and permanent duty staff engaged at Sannidhanam during the recently concluded Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season at Sabarimala.
A bench of justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V And K V Jayakumar issued the direction based on a report by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner that a discreet vigilance enquiry revealed that over Rs 14 lakh was transferred through money orders from the post office alone during that period.
The enquiry, by the vigilance wing of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) also revealed that such remittances involved relatively substantial amounts transmitted within a short span of time, giving rise to suspicion regarding the source and legitimacy of the funds, the court said.
"As part of the enquiry, financial data was collected from the post offices and nearby banking institutions, including the State Bank of India, Sannidhanam Branch, and Dhanlaxmi Bank, Sannidhanam, with respect to amounts deposited for onward remittance from November 17, 2025 onwards," it said.
The vigilance wing said that it had asked the persons making such remittances to appear before the competent authority, but they failed to comply and therefore, a detailed and comprehensive enquiry was required.
The TDB said its Executive Officer has been instructed to lodge a formal complaint with the Sannidhanam police station so that an exhaustive criminal investigation may be undertaken, including scrutiny of the bank accounts of casual as well as permanent employees deputed for duty at Sannidhanam.
It also told the court that directions have already been issued to collect details relating to all suspicious and dubious transactions and that a crime will be registered in accordance with law.
The bench, thereafter, directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police) of the TDB to "carry out an exhaustive investigation into all related aspects", including obtaining transactional and remittance details from the State Bank of India, Sannidhanam, Dhanlaxmi Bank, Sannidhanam, post offices and other financial institutions operating in and around the area.
It also directed the vigilance officer to obtain the database of all employees who were on duty at Sannidhanam during the relevant period, whether temporary, casual, or permanent, "so as to facilitate comprehensive scrutiny and to ascertain the full extent of any fraudulent activity or suspicious transfer of funds".
"A comprehensive report shall be placed before this court within a period of three weeks from today," the bench said and posted further hearing of the case to March 11.