Kerala High Court: Halted Renovation Of Sri Thirunelli Mahavishnu Temple For 10 Day

The Kerala High Court in the case Saleesh V. v. State of Kerala And Ors observed and has restrained the Executive Officer of the Sri Thirunelli Mahavishnu Temple, wherein the court proceeding with any renovation works in the Temple for a period of 10 days.
The court in the case observed that the incident came in order to light after certain news reports surfaced wherein it is stated that the Archaeology Department was being kept in the dark with regards to the renovation work which is being carried out in the temple, and highlighted the necessity in order to protect the historically significant structures at the temple.

In the present case, the petitioner who being the devotee of Sri Thirunelli Mahavishnu Temple in Wayanad, which is being controlled institution under the Malabar Devaswom Board has moved the present writ plea wherein seeking the direction which is issued to the Director of Archaeology to constitute a monitoring committee consisting of archeological experts in order to monitor the ongoing renovation works in the temple, in order for ensuring that no harm is being caused to the archeological value of the temple.
The Division bench comprising of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice P.G. Ajithkumar in the case observed and has pursued the report of the Director of Archaeology and the court in the case noted that the that prior to the filing of the writ petition, thus, the Archaeology Department had visited the temple and has served the notice upon the temple authorities to immediately stop all renovation works as the same may cause damage to the archaeological and architectural value of the temple.

The court in the case also deputed Advocate M.R. Arunkumar as the Advocate Commissioner in order to conduct an inspection of the temple premises on 28.05.2023. It has also been directed by the said court to him to submit a report before the Court with photographs of the ongoing renovation works.

Adding to it, the court stated that the remuneration which is being payable to the learned Advocate Commissioner is fixed for an amounted to Rs.25,000/- (the Rupees Twenty-five thousand only), which shall be paid by the petitioner before the date of inspection. Therefore, it has been submitted by the learned Senior Government Pleader and also by the learned Standing Counsel for Malabar Devaswom Board in order to ensure that the concerned officers in the Archaeology Department and also the Malabar Devaswom Board wherein render necessary assistance to the learned Advocate Commissioner at the time of inspection.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter to be next heard for further consideration on June 02, 2023.