Disposed

Harish Namboodiri v. Cochin Devaswom Board

Kerala HC14 Oct 2022WP(C)/23029/2022

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The Court disposed of three writ petitions challenging the Cochin Devaswom Board's orders regarding Santhi grades, postings, and selection via lot. The Court directed the Board to publish a seniority list, fill A Grade posts primarily from A Grade Santhis, and fill remaining posts from B Grade Santhis with salary protections.

What did the court decide?

Directed the Cochin Devaswom Board to publish a draft seniority list within three weeks and fill posts primarily from A Grade Santhis, or from B Grade Santhis if A Grade availability is insufficient.

Harish Namboodiri Vs Cochin Devaswom Board — Service and Employment | Kerala HC (2022)

¶1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

¶2

PRESENT

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN

¶4

¶5

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.G. AJITHKUMAR

¶6

FRIDAY, THE 14TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2022 / 22ND ASWINA, 1944
W.P.(C)NO.26250OF 2022

¶7

PETITIONER:

¶8

1 HARI NAMBOODIRI T.P.,
S/O PARAMESWARAN NAMBOODIRI, MELSHANTHI,
CHAKKANKULANGARA SIVA TEMPLE, TRIPUNITHURA,
ERNAKULAM - 682301
RESIDING AT THALPPANASSERI MANA, KUZHUR P.O.,
THRISSUR-680 734

¶9

2 VENKITTARAM P.S.,
S/O SANKARANARAYANAN, MELSHANTHI, RAVIPURAM
SREEKRISHNA TEMPLE, ERNAKULAM- 682 001
RESIDING AT VALLYTHUKOVIL MADHAM, PONNURUNNI,
VYTTILA P.O., ERNAKULAM- 682 019

¶10

BY ADVS.
M.P.ASHOK KUMAR
BINDU SREEDHAR
ASIF N
P.C.GOPINATH

¶11

RESPONDENT:

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1 THE COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD HEADQUARTERS, SWARAJ ROUND NORTH, THRISSUR - 680 001.

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2 THE SECRETARY, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD HEADQUARTERS,

¶14

¶15

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

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SWARAJ ROUND NORTH, THRISSUR - 680 001.

¶17

3 K. VIJAYARAJ, WORKING AS CHOTTANIKKARA THEERTHAMANI, CHOTTANIKKARA DEVI TEMPLE, CHOTTANIKKARA, KOCHI - 682312

¶18

4 N.V. KRISHNAN NAMBOODIRI, WORKING AS SHANTHI, CHOTTANIKKARA DEVI TEMPLE, CHOTTANIKKARA, KOCHI – 682312

¶19

5 N.K. RAMAN NAMBOODIRI, AZHAKIYAKAVU TEMPLE AROOR - THOPPUMPADY RD, VALUMMEL, KOCHI, KERALA 682005

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6 SREEJITH P. N., WORKING AS SHANTHI PERUMBILLI KRISHNA BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE, MULAMTHURUTHY PERUMPILLY, PERUMPILLY, ERNAKULAM - 682314

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7 PRASANNAKUMAR P., SHANTHI, RAVIPURAM SREE KRISHNA TEMPLE, RAVIPURAM, KOCHI, KERALA - 682035

¶22

BY ADV K.P.SUDHEER ADVOCATE

¶23

THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR
ADMISSION ON 14.10.2022, ALONG WITH WP(C).23029/2022,
26210/2022, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:

¶24

¶25

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶26

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

¶27

PRESENT

¶28

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN

¶29

¶30

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.G. AJITHKUMAR

¶31

FRIDAY, THE 14TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2022 / 22ND ASWINA, 1944
W.P.(C)NO.23029OF 2022

¶32

PETITIONER:

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HARISH NAMBOODIRI,
AGED 52 YEARS,

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S/O. KRISHNAN NAMBOODIRI, MADAVANA MANA,
PALLISSERY, ANNAMANADA P.O. - 680741.

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BY ADVS.

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M.P.SREEKRISHNAN
A.MUHAMMED MUSTHAFA

¶37

RESPONDENTS:

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1 COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, OFFICE OF THE COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, THRISSUR-680020.

¶39

2 THE DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, OFFICE OF THE COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, THRISSUR-680020.

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3 THE DEVASWOM OFFICER, AZHAKIYAKAVU BHAGAWATI TEMPLE, AZHAKIYA KAVU DEVASWOM, PALLURUTHI - 682005.

¶41

4 PADMANABHAN POTTI, SHANTHI, THEKKEPATTUPURA TEMPLE, CHAKKAMKULANGARA DEVASWOM, THEKKEPATTUPURA - 682506.

¶42

BY ADVS.

¶43

K.P.SUDHEER ADVOCATE
ELVIN PETER P.J.

¶44

¶45

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶46

K.R.GANESH
ABHIJITH.K.ANIRUDHAN
SREELEKSHMI A.S.

¶47

THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR
ADMISSION ON 14.10.2022, ALONG WITH WP(C).26250/2022 AND
CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:

¶48

¶49

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶50

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

¶51

PRESENT

¶52

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN

¶53

¶54

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.G. AJITHKUMAR

¶55

FRIDAY, THE 14TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2022 / 22ND ASWINA, 1944
W.P.(C)NO.26210OF 2022

¶56

PETITIONER:

¶57

SANAL KUMAR K.S.,
AGED 35 YEARS,
S/O SADANANDAN B., KOLLAMCHERITHARA, PARAYAKAD
P.O., KUTHIATHODE, ALAPPUZHA, KERALA-688540.

¶58

BY ADV V.V.SURESH

¶59

RESPONDENT:

¶60

THE SECRETARY,
COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD, SWARAJ ROUND NOTH,
THRISSUR, KERALA - 680001.

¶61

BY ADV K.P.SUDHEER ADVOCATE

¶62

THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR
ADMISSION ON 14.10.2022, ALONG WITH WP(C).26250/2022 AND
CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:

¶63

¶64

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶65

JUDGMENT

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Anil K. Narendran, J.

¶67

Since common issue is raised, these writ petitions are heard together and are being disposed of by this common judgment.

¶68

W.P.(C)No.26250 of 2022 :- The 1^st petitioner, who

¶69

is working as Melsanthi in Chakkankulangara Temple in Thrippunithura and the 2^nd petitioner, who is working as Melsanthi in Ravipuram Sree Krishna Temple, Ernakulam, have filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of certiorari to quash Ext.P4 order dated 21.07.2022 issued by the 1^st respondent Board regarding promotion of Santhis to ‘A’ Grade Temples by taking lot from all categories of Santhis, who completed 15 years of service, and Ext.P7 order dated 06.08.2022 passed by the 1^st respondent Board, whereby applications were accepted from “B’ and ‘C’ Grade Santhis in violation of the undertaking given in Ext.P6 judgment of this Court dated 02.08.2022 in W.P.(C)No.24939 of 2021. The petitioners have also sought for a declaration that the new method of selection to ‘A’ Grade

¶70

¶71

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶72

Major Temples introduced in Ext.P4 order by ignoring seniority in ‘A’ and ‘B’ Grade Santhis is against Ext.P1 judgment and the scheme framed thereunder and a further declaration that the Cochin Devaswom Board has no jurisdiction to take away the vested right of the ‘A’ grade Santhis for promotion to Major ‘A’ Grade Temples.

¶73

2.1 The petitioners claim to be ‘A’ grade Santhis under the Cochin Devaswom Board. They entered in service as ‘C’ Grade Santhis in the year 1987. It is alleged in the writ petition that though the Santhis in Major Temples were selected from ‘A’ Grade Santhis, on the basis of their ranking in the seniority list, vide Ext.P4 order of the 1^st respondent Board, any Santhi with 15 years’ experience, irrespective of the category like A, B and C, was made eligible for appointment in major ‘A’ Grade Temples in some of the Devaswoms under the 1^st respondent Board.

¶74

W.P.(C)No.23029 of 2022:- The petitioner, who is an

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‘A’ Grade Melsanthi under the 1^st respondent Devaswom Board

¶76

for the past 35 years, has filed this writ petition, seeking a writ of certiorari to quash Ext.P5 order dated 02.07.2022 issued by the 2^nd respondent Devaswom Commissioner, to the extent it

¶77

¶78

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶79

transfers him from Azhakiyakavu Temple and posting at Palliyarakavu Temple under Cochin Pazhayannur Devaswom and Ext.P6 order dated 24.06.2022 issued by the 1^st respondent Board rejecting the appeal filed by him against Ext.P5 order. The grievance of the petitioner is that despite specific provisions in Ext.P1 proceedings of the 1^st respondent Board, he has been transferred to another temple which he has not opted for.

¶80

3.1. On 15.07.2022, when this writ petition came up for consideration, this Court granted an interim order to the effect that, in case the petitioner is not relieved from the present station, he shall be retained there till the next posting date. The said interim order, which was extended from time to time, is still in force.

¶81

W.P.(C)No.26210 of 2022:- The petitioner, who is a poojari in Sarpasannidhi Bhadrakali Temple at Perumpadappu, which is under a private temple trust, has filed this writ petition, seeking a writ of mandamus commanding the respondent Secretary of the Cochin Devaswom Board to conduct selection process to the post of Melsanthi in the Grade ‘A’ temples strictly as per the orders of the respondent Board and in accordance

¶82

¶83

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶84

with the directions of this Court and as per the scheme of the learned Ombudsman. The petitioner has also sought for a direction to the respondent to draw up a seniority list and only thereafter take action as per Ext.P1 rules for appointment of Melsanthi in temples under the respondent Board.

¶85

4.1. In the writ petition, it is averred that, the respondent Board is proceeding to appoint Melsanthi in the temples under it by selection through lot, which is in violation of the orders of this Court and also the scheme of the learned Ombudsman. According to the petitioner, since the Board considers the post of Melsanthi as a recognised post, there should be a seniority list and selection to that post should be from that list, as those persons will retire after a certain age. It is alleged in the writ petition that the list prepared by the respondent Board for putting lot contains the name of a shanthi, who is on leave for the last two years and continuing as poojari in a private temple.

¶86

The Cochin Devaswom Board has filed counter affidavits in the respective writ petitions, opposing the reliefs sought for. The petitioners in W.P.(C)No.26250 of 2022 have filed reply affidavit and I.A.No.1 of 2022 for accepting

¶87

¶88

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶89

additional documents. The petitioner in W.P.(C)No.23029 of 2022 has filed I.A.No.1 of 2022 for accepting an additional affidavit and I.A.No.2 of 2022 to accept additional documents. The 4^th respondent in W.P.(C)No.23029 of 2022 has also filed a counter affidavit.

¶90

On 12.10.2022, after detailed arguments, we recorded the submission made by the learned Standing Counsel for Cochin Devaswom Board that all ‘A’ Grade Santhis will get posting in ‘A’ Grade Temples. If sufficient number of ‘A’ Grade Santhis are not available, then only such posts will be filled up from ‘B’ Grade Santhies. ‘B’ Grade Santhi, who is getting posting in an ‘A’ Grade Temple will be eligible only for payment of salary of ‘B’ Grade Santhi. However, if an ‘A’ Grade Santhi opts for posting in a ‘B’ Grade Temple, he will be entitled to protection of his salary as an ‘A’ Grade Santhi. The order dated 12.10.2022 reads thus;

¶91

“After detailed arguments of the respective counsel for the petitioners in W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 26210 and 23029 of 2022, we heard the arguments of the learned Standing Counsel for Cochin Devaswom Board. 2. During the course of arguments, the specific stand taken by the learned Standing Counsel is that a Santhi, who is entering service as a ‘C’ Grade Santhi, is being

¶92

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W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

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promoted as ‘B’ Grade Santhi on completion of 8 years of service and shall continue in that grade till the completion of a total service of 15 years and thereafter, he will be promoted as ‘A’ Grade Santhi. These promotions are grade promotions.

¶95

The temples under the management of the Cochin Devaswom Board are classified as follows;

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“(1) മൂ്ᩐു പൂജയുും ശീവേലിയുും ഉ്ᩦ വേത്ര്ᨲ ളെ േരുമാനും വനാ്ᨪ ാളരയുും കൂടാളര ത്പരിമാസ േരുമാനും ഒരു ലേ്ᩈ ിൽ കൂടുരൽ േരു്ᩐ വേത്ര്ᨲ ളെയുും എ വത്േഡിൽ ഉൾളെടു്ᩈു്ᩐ രിന് . ഉ്ᩈ രോകു്ᩐു (2) ത്പരിമാസും 50,000/രൂപയിൽ കൂടുരലുും , ഒരു ലേ്ᩈ ിൽ രാളെയുും േരുമാനമു്ᩦ വേത്ര്ᨲ ളെ ബി വത്േഡിൽ ഉൾളെടു്ᩈു്ᩐ രിന് . ഉ്ᩈ രോകു്ᩐു (3) ത്പരിമാസും 50,000/രൂപയിൽ കുറവ് േരുമാനമു്ᩦ എലലാ വേത്ര്ᨲ ളെയുും സി വത്േഡിൽ ഉൾളെടു്ᩈു്ᩐ രിന് ഉ്ᩈ രോകു്ᩐു .” 4. During the course of arguments, the specific stand taken by the learned Standing Counsel for the Cochin Devaswom Board is that all ‘A’ Grade Santhis will get posting in ‘A’ Grade Temples. If sufficient number of ‘A’ Grade Santhis are not available, then only such posts will be filled up from ‘B’ Grade Santhies. ‘B’ Grade Santhi, who is getting posting in an ‘A’ Grade Temple will be eligible only for payment of salary of ‘B’ Grade Santhi. However, if an ‘A’ Grade Santhi opts for posting in a ‘B’ Grade Temple, he will be entitled to protection of his salary as an ‘A’ Grade Santhi.

¶97

The aforesaid submissions made by the learned Standing Counsel for Cochin Devaswom Board are recorded.

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The learned counsel for the petitioners in the respective writ petitions seeks time to get instructions.”

¶99

Today, the petitioners in W.P.(C)No.26250 of 2022

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¶101

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

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have filed I.A.No.2 of 2022, seeking an order to produce Ext.P10 as additional document. In paragraph 9 of that affidavit filed in support of that application, it is alleged that, six C Grade Shantis are working as Melsanthi in A Grade temples. Paragraph 9 of that affidavit reads thus;

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“9. Following C Grade Shantis are working as Melsanthi in the following Temple. The ranking in Ext.R1(n) seniority list as on 01.12.2017, C Grade:

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Sl.No.in	Name of C Grade	A Grade Temple they are
R1(n)	Shanthi	appointed
9	T. Sridharan Embraathiri	Chakkangulangara
88	T. N. Unnikrishnan	Ernakulam
106	D.S. Manojkumar	Azhakiyakavu
160	P. Prasannakumar	Ravipuram
212	Hrishikesh Namboodiri	Valanjambalam
245	Ramesh Kadamanya	Vytilla

¶105

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners in the

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respective writ petitions, the learned Standing Counsel for Cochin Devaswom Board and also the learned counsel for the 4^th respondent in W.P.(C)No.23029 of 2022.

¶107

During the course of arguments, the learned Standing Counsel for Cochin Devaswom Board would point out, that with reference to Ext.R1(n) seniority list of Santhis under Cochin Devaswom Board as on 07.10.2017 that, the date of

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¶109

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶110

entry of Sl.Nos.9, 88, 106, 160 and 212 in Ext.R1(n) seniority list are 09.11.1993, 01.12.2021, 01.06.2007 and 14.01.2009 respectively. Insofar as Ramesh Kadamanya in Vytilla Temple is concerned, the Sl.No. shown as 245 is not correct, since the Sl.No. of the last person in Ext.R1(n) seniority list is 225. The learned counsel for the petitioners in W.P.(C)No.26250 of 2022 would admit that, by mistake the Sl.No. of Kadamanya in Vytilla Temple is shown as 245.

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Having considered the submission made by the learned counsel on both sides we find that the allegation that six C Grade Shantis are working as Melsanthi in A Grade temples under the management of the Cochin Devaswom Board is absolutely without any basis.

¶112

Admittedly, the drawing of lots is confined to the temples included in the order dated 21.07.2022 of the Devaswom Commissioner (Ext.P4 in W.P.(C)No.26250 of 2022]. The specific stand taken by the learned Standing Counsel for the Cochin Devaswom Board is that, if more than one candidate is eligible to be considered for posting as Santhi in an ‘A’ Grade Temple in the said order dated 21.07.2022, drawing of lots will take place among ‘A’ Grade Shanthis. If

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¶114

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶115

sufficient number of ‘A’ Grade Santhis are not available, then only such posts will be filled up from ‘B’ Grade Santhies. ‘B’ Grade Santhi, who is getting posting in an ‘A’ Grade Temple will be eligible only for payment of salary of ‘B’ Grade Santhi. However, if an ‘A’ Grade Santhi opts for posting in a ‘B’ Grade Temple, he will be entitled to protection of his salary as an ‘A’ Grade Santhi.

¶116

We notice that, based on Ext.R1(F) pay revision order dated 26.03.2022, the Cochin Devaswom Board has issued Ext.R1(G) order dated 15.07.2022, on fixation of ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ grades to Santhis, whereby Ext.R1(E) order dated 19.10.2021 stands modified.

¶117

Within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment, the Cochin Devaswom Board shall publish a draft list of ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ grade Santhis in the temples under its management, which shall be finalised within a further period of three weeks, after considering objections, if any, to the draft seniority list. Thereafter, the Board shall proceed with the posting of Santhis in the temples included in the order dated 21.07.2022 of the Devaswom Commissioner (Ext.P4 in W.P.(C)No.26250 of 2022],

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W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

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strictly as per the specific stand taken before this Court, which we have noticed hereinbefore. In case more than one candidate is eligible to be considered for posting as Santhi in the temples included in the order dated 21.07.2022, drawing of lots shall take place among ‘A’ Grade Shanthis. If sufficient number of ‘A’ Grade Santhis are not available, then such posts will be filled up from ‘B’ Grade Santhies. ‘B’ Grade Santhi, who

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is getting posting in an ‘A’ Grade Temple will be eligible only for payment of salary of ‘B’ Grade Santhi. However, if an ‘A’ Grade Santhi opts for posting in a ‘B’ Grade Temple, he will be entitled to protection of his salary as an ‘A’ Grade Santhi. The drawing of lots, if found necessary, shall take place in the office of the Cochin Devaswom Board at Thrissur, with notice to the respective applicants.

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Since the petitioner in W.P.(C)No.23029 of 2022 is presently without any posting, pending finalisation of the list of ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ grade to Santhis in the temples under the management of the Cochin Devaswom Board, the Board shall give him a suitable posting, as per the existing norms, in an ‘A’ Grade Temple, without disturbing the 4^th respondent, since the said respondent will attain the age of superannuation on

¶123

¶124

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶125

28.02.2023.

¶126

With the above directions, the above writ petitions are

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disposed of.

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Sd/-

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ANIL K. NARENDRAN, JUDGE

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P.G. AJITHKUMAR, JUDGE

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MIN

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¶133

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶134

APPENDIX OF WP(C) 23029/2022

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PETITIONER EXHIBITS

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`Exhibit P1`	`A TRUE COPY OF THE TERMS AND` `CONDITIONS OF THE SERVICE OF THE` `EMPLOYEES OF THE COCHIN DEVASWOM` `BOARD.`
`Exhibit P2`	`A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT, DATED` `23.03.2022, IN WP(C) 22288 OF 2021.`
`Exhibit P3`	`A TRUE COPY OF THE APPEAL, PREFERRED` `BY THE PETITIONER, DATED 21.04.2022.`
`Exhibit P4`	`A TRUE COPY OF THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF` `EXHIBIT P3 BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT.`
`Exhibit P5`	`A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER, DATED` `02.07.2022 PASSED BY THE 2ND` `RESPONDENT OBTAINED BY THE PETITIONER` `IN WHATSAPP.`
`Exhibit P6`	`A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER, DATED` `24.06.2022 PASSED BY THE 1ST` `RESPONDENT.`
`Exhibit P7`	`A TRUE COPY OF THE STATEMENT FILED BY` `THE 1ST RESPONDENT IN WP(C) 22288 OF` `2021.`
`Exhibit P8`	`A TRUE COPY OF THE STATEMENT FILED BY` `THE BOARD IN WP(C) 22494 OF 2021.`
`Exhibit P9`	`A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER, DATED` `28.06.2022 ISSUED BY THE 2ND` `RESPONDENT.`

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RESPONDENT EXHIBITS

¶138

EXHIBIT R1 A TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO. M4. 8687/2022
DATED 21/07/2022 ISSUED BY THE FIRST
RESPONDENT

¶139

¶140

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶141

EXHIBIT R1 B TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO. M4. 8687/2022
DATED 22/07/2022 ISSUED BY THE FIRST
RESPONDENT.
EXHIBIT R1 C TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 5.8.2015 IN
DBP NO. 81/2015 PASSED BY THIS HON'BLE
COURT.
EXHIBIT R1 D TRUE COPY OF CDB REPORT NO. 123/2015
IN PETITION NO. 53/2015 DATED
3.8.2015.

¶142

EXHIBIT R1 E TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO. M4.4946/15
DATED 5.6.2015 ISSUED BY THE 1ST
RESPONDENT.
EXHIBIT R1 F TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO. M4. 4946/15
DATED 27.7.2015 ISSUED BY THE 1ST
RESPONDENT.
EXHIBIT R4(A) TRUE PHOTOCOPY OF THE JOINING REPORT
DATED 07.07.2022 ISSUED BY THE
DEVASWOM OFFICER TO ASSISTANT
COMMISSIONER, THRIPOONITHURA

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PETITIONER EXHIBITS

¶144

Exhibit P10 A TRUE COPY OF THE REQUEST, DATED
22/7/2022 FILED BY THE PETITIONER
BEFORE THE DEVASWOM OFFICER
Exhibit P11 A TRUE COPY OF THE POSTAL
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE EXHIBIT P10

¶145

¶146

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶147

APPENDIX OF WP(C) 26210/2022

¶148

PETITIONER EXHIBITS

¶149

Exhibit P1 THE TRUE COPY OF THE RULES FOR
APPOINTMENT OF MELSANTHIS IN TEMPLES
UNDER THE RESPONDENT DATED NIL.

¶150

Exhibit P2 THE TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.
M4.8687/2022 DATED 21-07-2022 ISSUED
BY THE RESPONDENT.

¶151

Exhibit P3 THE TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.
M4.5321/2020 ISSUED BY THE DEVASWOM
COMMISSIONER DATED 01-08-2022.

¶152

Exhibit P4 THE TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.
M4.8687/2022 DATED 06-08-2022.

¶153

¶154

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶155

APPENDIX OF WP(C) 26250/2022

¶156

PETITIONER EXHIBITS:

¶157

Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE COMMON JUDGMENT IN
WRIT PETITION NOS 14117 OF 1984 AND
14118 OF 1984 OF SUPREME COURT DT
09/09/1986 ALONG WITH APPROVED SCHEME

¶158

Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE SENIORITY LIST OF A
GRADE SHANTHIS DT 03.12.2011

¶159

Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.M-144/09 DT
19/04/2021 ISSUED BY THE 2ND
RESPONDENT.

¶160

Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO M4 8687/2022 DT
21/07/2022 ISSUED BY THE DEVASWOM
BOARD

¶161

Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF THE COUNTER AFFIDAVIT DT
30/07/2022 FILED IN WPC 24939 OF 2021
ALONG WITH EXHIBITS

¶162

Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF JUDGMENT IN WPC 24939 OF
2021 DT 02/08/2022 PASSED BY HON'BLE
HIGH COURT OF KERALA

¶163

Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO M4.8687/2022 DT
06/08/2022 PASSED BY THE COCHIN
DEVASWOM BOARD

¶164

RESPONDENT EXHIBITS:

¶165

EXHIBIT R1 A TRUE COPY OF COMMON JUDGMENT DATED
23/03/2022 IN WRIT PETITION (CIVIL)
NO.22494/2021 AND 22288/2021 PASSED BY
THIS HON'BLE COURT.

¶166

EXHIBIT R1 B TRUE COPY OF ORDER ON M4.5747/2018
DATED 28/06/2022 ISSUED BY THE 1ST
RESPONDENT.

¶167

¶168

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶169

EXHIBIT R1 C TRUE COPY OF JUDGMENT DATED 11/07/2022
IN WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 21947 OF
2022 PASSED BY THIS HON'BLE COURT.
EXHIBIT R1 D TRUE COPY OF LIST OF A, B AND C GRADE
TEMPLES UNDER THE FIRST RESPONDENT.
EXHIBIT R1 E TRUE COPY OF ORDER ON M4.6429/2008
DATED 19.10.2021 ISSUED BY THE FIRST
RESPONDENT
EXHIBIT R1 F TRUE COPY OF THE PAY REVISION ORDER OF
THE TEMPLE EMPLOYEES OF COCHIN
DEVASWOM BOARD NO. M4-900/2022 DATED
26.3.2022
EXHIBIT R1 G TRUE COPY OF ORDER ON M4. 900/2022
DATED 15.7.2022 ISSUED BY THE 1ST
RESPONDENT
EXHIBIT R1 J TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 05/08/2015 IN
DBP NO. 81 OF 2015 PASSED BY THIS
HON'BLE COURT.
EXHIBIT R1 K TRUE COPY OF CDBP REPORT NO. 123/2015
IN PETITION NO. 53/2015 OF LEARNED
OMBUDSMAN.
EXHIBIT R1 L TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO. M4. 4946/15
DATED 20.6.2016 ISSUED BY THE 1ST
RESPONDENT
EXHIBIT R1 M TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO. M4. 4946/15
DATED 8.8.2016 ISSUED BY THE 1ST
RESPONDENT.
EXHIBIT R1 N TRUE COPY OF THE SENIORITY LIST AS ON
07/12/2017
EXHIBIT R1 O TRUE COPY OF JUDGMENT DATED 27.10.2020
IN WP(C) NO. 22870/2020 PASSED BY THIS
HON'BLE COURT.
EXHIBIT R1 P TRUE COPY OF ORDER NO. M4. 8687/22
DATED 11.8.2022 ISSUED BY THE DEVASWOM

¶170

¶171

W.P.(C)Nos.26250, 23029 and 26210 of 2022

¶172

COMMISSIONER, COCHIN DEVASWOM BOARD.

¶173

EXHIBIT R1 H TRUE COPY OF CDB REPORT NO. 135 OF
2010 IN COMPLAINT NO. 232/2010 DATED
6.9.2010 OF THE OMBUDSMAN

¶174

EXHIBIT R1 ( I ) TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 22.9.2010 IN
DBP NO. 59 OF 2010 PASSED BY THIS
HON'BLE COURT

¶175

PETITIONER EXHIBITS

¶176

EXHIBIT P8

¶177

TRUE COPY OF THE PROMOTION ORDER NO.
M4 6429/2008 DATED 24/11/2009 OF THE
2ND PETITIONER ISSUED BY THE 2ND
RESPONDENT

¶178

EXHIBIT P9

¶179

TRUE COPY OF THE PROMOTION ORDER NO.
M4 6429/2008 DATED 09/12/2011 OF THE
1ST PETITIONER ISSUED BY THE 2ND
RESPONDENT

¶180

EXHIBIT P10 TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION DATED
06/07/2020 FILED BY THE 2ND PETITIONER

Harish Namboodiri v. Cochin Devaswom Board

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Harish Namboodiri v. Cochin Devaswom Board

Case brief

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