‘Temples and their properties must be carefully preserved’ : CJI

New Delhi – A bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna has stated that the ‘temples and their properties need to be carefully preserved’. He made these remarks while hearing a petition regarding the dispute over the management of the Oachira temple in Kerala on December 3^rd. The Supreme Court appointed a retired judge of the Kerala High Court as the administrator aimed towards efficient administration of the temple and elections to the management committees. The Supreme Court took serious note of the fact that the temple is ancient and unique.

1. The Oachira temple in Kerala’s Kollam District is the only temple of its kind in the country, which has no Garbha-griha and no murti. Parabrahma (Supreme Deity) is worshiped in this temple.

2. Many hospitals and colleges are run on behalf of this temple.

3. There is a dispute over the management of this temple. As per temple norms, it is controlled by different committees at 3 levels.

4. In the year 2006, a case was filed in the lower Court against the management of the temple. The Court had said that all the parties should prepare a plan for the management of the temple.

5. Hereditary members of the temple committee approached the High Court against the decision of the lower Court. In 2010, the High Court appointed a retired judge of the Kerala High Court as the administrator of the temple.

6. After this, in the year 2017, a committee was selected to handle the day-to-day work of this temple. In the year 2022, the High Court dissolved this committee by an order and another committee was constituted. Two elected representatives approached the Supreme Court against this election process.

7. The Supreme Court heard the entire case. The Supreme Court appointed retired Kerala High Court Judge K. Ramakrishnan as the administrator of the temple. Administrator Ramakrishnan will hold elections within 4 months and run the administration of the temple in a fair manner, the apex Court said in the order.