Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V, Justice K.V. Jayakumar, Kerala High Court
Kerala High Court Calls For Strict Action Against Contractor For Demanding Higher Locker Charges From Devotees At Sabarimala
|The Kerala High Court was considering suo motu proceeding initiated on the basis of an anonymous complaint submitted to the Chief Justice about the unauthorized collection of locker charges at Pamba, Sabarimala.
The Kerala High Court has ordered strict action against a tender holder for unauthorised collection of locker charges at Pamba, Sabarimala. The High Court stated that the same raised the likelihood of substantial revenue loss to the Travancore Devaswom Board.
The High Court was considering suo motu proceeding initiated on the basis of an anonymous complaint submitted to the Chief Justice about the unauthorized collection of locker charges at Pamba, Sabarimala and the resultant revenue loss caused to the Travancore Devaswom Board.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K. V. Jayakumar stated, “Moreover, amounts in excess of the permissible rates, as stipulated in the terms and conditions of the tender, are being collected by the Kuthaka holder.”
“Strict action shall be initiated against the Kuthaka holder, Sri Shyam Sasidharan Nair, for collecting amounts in excess of the permissible limits, in violation of the terms and conditions of the tender”, it further directed.
Standing Counsel G.Biju represented the Respondent.
Factual Background
It was stated in the complaint that only one locker room was available at Pamba. The grievance projected was that a fee of Rs 100 was collected for each bag, but no receipts or vouchers were being issued to the pilgrims for the said amount. It was also mentioned in the complaint that nearly 50 lakh pilgrims visit the hill shrine during the festive season, which spans from November to January and the resultant revenue loss is huge.
Reasoning
The Bench took note of the fact that the kuthaka right for the cloakroom and stall was given to one Shyam Sasidharan Nair for an amount of Rs 1,28,44,444. Complaints had already been received regarding the collection of excess amounts for the use of the cloakroom and stall. The anonymous complaint was lodged by a devotee from Telangana.
On a perusal of the photographs, the Bench noticed that the Board had allegedly exhibited a notice in front of the locker room and stall; however, the same was in the vernacular language and was very small in size. The Bench also noted that approximately 50 lakh devotees visit Sabarimala during the festive season spanning from November to January. In light of the fact that vouchers or receipts were not being issued to pilgrims for payments made in respect of the cloakroom and stalls, the Bench mentioned that the same raised the likelihood of substantial revenue loss to the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Considering that amounts in excess of the permissible rates were being collected by the Kuthaka holder, the Bench directed strict action to be taken against him. “The Travancore Devaswom Board shall ensure that boards displaying the prescribed rates for the cloakroom and stalls are prominently exhibited in front of the respective shops, in English, Malayalam, and other regional languages, to facilitate and inform the devotees”, it further ordered.
Asking the Chief Vigilance Officer of Travancore Devaswom Board to take effective steps to avoid the malpractices by the kuthaka holder, the Bench also ordered, “Urgent steps shall be initiated against the violators of the terms and conditions of the kuthaka tender, including proceedings for blacklisting them.”
Cause Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala (Neutral Citation: 2025:KER:64812)
Appearance
Respondent: Standing Counsel G.Biju, Senior Government Pleader S. Rajmohan