KOCHI, INDIA, January 3, 2007: The Kerala High court yesterday set up a three-member committee to probe corruption charges against a board that runs many temples in the state. The committee led by former Supreme court judge K.S. Paripoornan with former Central Bureau of Investigation director D.R. Karthikeyan and former judge Tulasidas as members has been asked to submit a report on the case against the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) within six months. The TDB manages and runs temples in the southern districts of Kerala, including the Sabarimala temple which is expected to net revenue of more than US$22 million in the ongoing festival season that closes on January 20. The autonomous temple authority also runs a number of schools, colleges and cultural institutions.
The TDB has been accused of misappropriating money donated by devotees, corruption in purchases and taking bribes while recruiting staff. The state’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had earlier submitted a report to the government on the irregularities in the TDB deals. The court said it was the court’s duty to ensure that the money donated by the devotees is not misused or wasted and hence the order. While welcoming the court verdict, Temple Affairs Minister G. Sudharkaran said the government would soon issue an ordinance making amendments in the laws governing the three temple administration boards in the state.