Kerala High Court
Udaya Kumar B vs Travancore Devaswom Board on 10 February, 2026
Author: N.Nagaresh
Bench: N.Nagaresh
2026:KER:11853
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH
TUESDAY, THE 10TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2026 / 21ST MAGHA, 1947
WP(C) NO. 3863 OF 2026
PETITIONER:
UDAYA KUMAR B.,
AGED 52 YEARS,
TC 28/1084,
KOTTAKUZHI VEEDU,
SREEKANDESHWARAM FORT PO
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
PIN - 695023
BY ADVS.
SMT.ANJU BABU S.
SMT.A.SAKUNTHALA
RESPONDENTS:
1 TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD,
REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY,
DEVASWOM HEAD QUARTERS,
NANDANCODE,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695003
2 THE COMMISSIONER,
TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD,
DEVASWOM HEAD QUARTERS,
NANDANCODE PO,
THIRUVANATHAPURAM, PIN - 695003
3 THE ASSISTANT DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER,
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT,
PIN - 695009
2026:KER:11853
W.P.(C) No.3863/2026
:2:
4 THE SUB GROUP OFFICER,
MITHRANANDAPURAM DEVASWOM
MITHRANANDAPURAM
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
PIN - 695009
BY ADV.
SRI.P.U.VINOD KUMAR, SC
SMT.V.A.HARITHA, GOVERNMENT PLEADER
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR
ADMISSION ON 10.02.2026, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY
DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2026:KER:11853
W.P.(C) No.3863/2026
:3:
JUDGMENT
Dated this the 10th day of February, 2026 The petitioner is working in the post of Watcher under the Travancore Devaswom Board. At the time of passing of Ext.P1, the petitioner was working as Watcher at Vettakkorumakan Temple under Mitranandhapuram Sub Group, Thiruvananthapuram.
2. On the basis of certain allegations, the petitioner was transferred to Kamaleswaram Mahadeva Temple, which is also in Thiruvananthapuram. The petitioner states that the transfer was in contemplation of disciplinary proceedings.
3. However, to the surprise and predicament of the petitioner, the petitioner again stands transferred to a far 2026:KER:11853 W.P.(C) No.3863/2026 :4: away Temple at Haripad. The said transfer is highly illegal and arbitrary.
4. The petitioner would submit that in similar circumstances, two other employees were also transferred who had preferred appeal against the transfer order. This Court had directed the respondents to consider their appeal. The petitioner has also submitted Exts.P7 and P8 Appeals. Unless the respondents considers Exts.P7 and P8 in a time bound manner, the petitioner will be put to untold hardship, contends the petitioner.
5. Standing Counsel entered appearance and resisted the writ petition on behalf of the Devaswom Board. Standing Counsel denied all the material allegations made by the petitioner. It is submitted that transfer has been ordered in contemplation of departmental proceedings and is intended to conduct a pure and impartial enquiry. The petitioner's continuance in the original station would influence the outcome 2026:KER:11853 W.P.(C) No.3863/2026 :5: of the enquiry. It is in such circumstances that the transfer order was passed. However, since the petitioner has preferred appeals against the transfer, the same can be considered in accordance with law.
In the afore facts of the case, the writ petition is disposed of directing the 2 nd respondent to consider Exts.P7 and P8 appeals preferred by the petitioner against the suspension order and take appropriate decision thereon, within a period of two months.
Sd/-
N. NAGARESH JUDGE SR 2026:KER:11853 W.P.(C) No.3863/2026 :6: APPENDIX OF WP(C) NO. 3863 OF 2026 PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS:
Exhibit P1 THE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 10.09.2025 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY DATED 13.09.2025 SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER TO THE 4TH RESPONDENT Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 12.09.2025 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY DATED 14.09.2025 SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER TO THE 4TH RESPONDENT. TRANSCRIBED VERSION PRODUCED Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 17.09.2025 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT.
TRANSCRIBED VERSION PRODUCED Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 16.12.2025 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF APPEAL/ APPLICATION DATED 23.01.2026 FILED BY PETITIONER BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF APPEAL/ APPLICATION DATED 23.01.2026 FILED BY PETITIONER BEFORE THE 1ST RESPONDENT Exhibit P9 THE COPY OF DISCHARGE SUMMARY OF THE MOTHER OF THE PETITIONER DATED 22.03.2023 ISSUED FROM PRS HOSPITAL THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Exhibit P10 COMPUTER COPY OF THE JUDGEMENT IN WP(C) 48643/2025 DATED 30.12.2025 Exhibit P11 COMPUTER COPY OF THE JUDGEMENT IN WP(C) 866/2026 DATED 09.01.2026.