Kerala HC Monitors Waste Management at Chottanikkara Temple; Complainant to Place Materials on 25 May
A Kerala High Court Division Bench tracking sanitation at Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple heard progress on a ₹20.7 lakh waste treatment project and directed the complainant to produce evidence of continuing lapses.
The High Court of Kerala's Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, hearing suo motu proceedings concerning alleged maladministration and corruption at the Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple, took up the matter on 18 May 2026 for a progress review. The Nodal Officer, the Assistant Engineer, and the Devaswom Manager appeared in person and reported steps being taken to establish a scientifically managed waste treatment system at the temple. The bench posted the matter to 25 May 2026 and directed the complainant's counsel to place before the court any materials substantiating the allegation that the temple premises remain unclean despite earlier directions.
How the Suo Motu Proceedings Arose
The proceedings originated from a complaint dated 24 April 2025 submitted by Sri Thampy Thilakan, alleging maladministration and corruption at the Chottanikkara temple, which is administered by the Cochin Devaswom Board. The court registered the matter as DBP No. 52 of 2025 and initiated suo motu proceedings.
Over the course of the proceedings, the bench progressively expanded the array of respondents. The Chottanikkara Grama Panchayat and the District Town Planner were impleaded as additional respondents 7 and 8 by order dated 10 September 2025. The Executive Director of the Suchitwa Mission, the Executive Engineer of the Maramath Wing of the Cochin Devaswom Board, and the Assistant Engineer, Chottanikkara Devaswom, were added as respondents 9 to 11 by order dated 19 September 2025. The Special Secretary to the Government, Local Self Government Department, was impleaded as additional respondent 12 by order dated 26 November 2025. The matter is also connected with DBP No. 64 of 2025 and WP(C) No. 32689 of 2023, all of which are being heard together.
Waste Treatment Infrastructure: Tenders Floated, Re-Tendering Under Way
The Nodal Officer informed the bench that, pursuant to the court's earlier directions and in compliance with the Technical Manual on Solid Waste Management issued by the Suchitwa Mission, a comprehensive Detailed Project Report has been prepared for a waste treatment system within the temple premises.
E-tenders have been invited for the construction of infrastructure that includes a shed for an Organic Waste Converter (OWC) Plant, Thumboormuzhi Model Aerobic Compost Units, and a Material Recovery Facility. The estimated project cost for this component is ₹20,70,000. The Cochin Devaswom Board has resolved to issue the work order to the successful contractor once the tender process concludes.
Separately, steps have been initiated for the construction of a retaining wall on the southern and eastern sides of the proposed Waste Treatment Facility, estimated at ₹36,90,000, to ensure structural safety and long-term sustainability of the project.
On the supply, installation, and commissioning of the Organic Waste Converter Machine, the Nodal Officer disclosed that no bids were received in response to the initial tender notification, requiring a re-tendering process. Tenders pursuant to the re-notification are scheduled to be opened on 2 June 2026.
Complainant's Counsel Raises Continuing Concerns
Smt. Resmi A., appearing for the complainant, brought two issues to the bench's attention. She submitted that devotees arriving from outside the State continue to engage in cooking activities using gas cylinders within the temple premises, raising both safety and sanitation concerns. She also submitted that several portions of the temple premises remain unclean despite the court's earlier directions on maintenance and sanitation.
The Nodal Officer, the Assistant Engineer, and the Devaswom Manager, who were present in court, assured the bench that every possible effort would be taken to maintain the temple premises in a clean, hygienic, and orderly manner. They also undertook to address the specific issues raised by the complainant's counsel.
Order
The Division Bench posted the matter to 25 May 2026. On that date, Smt. Resmi A., counsel for the complainant, is directed to place before the court any relevant materials to substantiate the allegation that the temple premises are not being maintained in a clean and hygienic condition despite the court's earlier directions.