KOCHI: Terming the reports on the takeover of Ernakulam Thirumala Devaswom (TD) temple as ‘misleading’, the Cochin Devaswom Board has said it has no interest in taking over any temple.
“The Ernakulam Thirumala Devaswom is a ‘control temple’ of the Cochin Devaswom Board. As per sections 98 and 99 of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Releigios Act, the Board has the authority to initiate actions, including taking in charge of its ‘control temples’. According to 98 E of the Act, it can take over the temple if there is a proof of misuse of power,” said M K Sudarsan, president, Cochin Devaswom Board, in a statement.
“The Deputy secretary of the Board had initiated an inquiry into the loss of the temple gold on June 23, 2014. The probe revealed the allegations were correct and it was decided to remove the then administrative council of the temple and appoint a new one as per the law.
This matter is now pending in the High court. Only an inquiry was carried out in the matter as stipulated by the law and the media reports on takeover are baseless,” said M K Sudarsan.
He also said there was a serious lapse on the part of the council as a case in connection with an incident that occurred in 1996 was taken only in 2013.