JOIN USSC rejects Padmanabha Swamy Temple Trust's plea to exempt it from audit for last 25 years
The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a plea of Kerala's Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple Trust, created by the erstwhile Travancore Royal Family, for exemption from the audit of 25 years.
A three-judge bench presided over by Justice U U Lalit said that the special audit, directed in its July 13, 2020 judgement, was not confined to the temple alone, but included the trust as well.
The bench, also comprising Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Bela M Trivedi, directed for the audit of the temple and the trust preferably within three months.
On September 17, the Administrative and Advisory Committees of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, represented by senior advocate R Basant, contended the court that the temple was facing financial crisis as monthly expenses were not being met in view of offerings having been dried up due to Covid-19 pandemic.
It further said Rs 1.25 crore was the monthly expenses of the temple but it could hardly Rs 60-70 lakh. It said the trust must contribute to the temple.
Royal family, on the other hand, led by senior advocate Arvind P Datar said the trust had a distinct identity, which has been created only to oversee the pujas and rituals. The trust has got no role in administration. It also submitted that the court should not go by the amicus curiae's report of April 15, 2014 in this regard.
"In its order dated 24.04.2014, this court had initially directed that special audit of the temple and its properties be conducted by ex CAG Vinod Rai. Later, the order dated 05.05.2015 recorded the submissions of Datar that the trust would not have any difficulty in cooperating with Rai in undertaking scrutiny of the Audit Reports and in conducting a fresh audit," the bench pointed out.
The court further said in the light of developments leading to the passing of the judgment on July 13, 2020, it is quite clear that the audit contemplated by direction was not intended to be confined to the temple but was also with respect to trust.
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