KDRB moves SC against HC annulment of its power of appointment to Guruvayur Devaswom

The Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board (KDRB) has moved the Supreme Court in appeal against a State High Court decision to strike down provisions which empowered it to appoint candidates to various posts in the Guruvayur Devaswom and government-aided educational institutions.

The KDRB has sought a stay of the High Court decision while submitting that its functions were limited to affairs of recruitment and did not intervene in the religious duties concerning temples.

The High Court had directed that proceedings relating to the appointment or selection of candidates to posts must be done as per the Guruvayur Devaswom Act, 1978. The High Court direction had come on an appeal filed by the Guruvayur Devaswom Employees Union Congress and others, challenging the relevant provisions of the KDRB Act.

The court had quashed the notification issued by the KDRB inviting applications for various posts and added that the KDRB should not in future conduct any selection proceedings for appointments to these posts. Appointments already made by the board would remain undisturbed.

In addition, the managing committee of Guruvayur Devaswom was directed to initiate the appointment process afresh, while a special committee would supervise and control the entire process. The committee headed by retired judge of the Kerala High Court, Justice P.N. Ravindran, would have a one-year tenure.