Supreme Court stays Kerala HC decision annulling KDRB’s power of appointment to Guruvayur Devaswom

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday (January 29, 2026) stayed a Kerala High Court decision striking down provisions which empowered the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board (KDRB) to appoint candidates to various posts in the Guruvayur Devaswom and aided educational institutions.

Read | HC annuls Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board’s powers to make Guruvayur Devaswom appointments

A Bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath issued notice on the appeal filed by the KDRB, represented by senior advocate V. Giri and advocate Deepak Prakash. The court fixed the next hearing on February 23, 2026.

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 Guruvayoor 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.

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

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.