J U D G M E N T
Raja Vijayaraghavan V, J.
This Writ Petition is filed seeking the following reliefs:
"i) Call for records leading to Ext. P2 and may quash the same by issuing a writ of certiorari in so far as it does not recognize, right of the traditional thanthries of Kerala to issue eligibility/ qualification certificate for getting appointments to the post of santhies in temples under respondents 2 and 4.
ii) to issue a writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding respondents 1 to 5 to accept eligibility /qualification certificates issued by the hereditary thanthries recognized by respondents 1 to 4 as eligibility certificate for the post of santhies under respondents 2 to 4 and for the post of santhies notified by 5th respondent.
iii) to issue a writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding respondents to include at least 3 members from traditional / hereditary thanthries of Kerala in the selection board to select santhies in the temples under Travancore, Kochi and Malabar Devaswom boards."
2. As a matter of fact, the petitioner had filed W.P.(C) No. 3994 of 2024 seeking the following reliefs and the said writ petition is pending.
"i) issue a writ, order or declaration that Qualification No: 2 [ii] of Rule 6 [1] [b] of Travancore Devaswom Board Officers and Servants Service Rules, 2022 is ultra vires the Constitution of India and void.
ii) issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding the respondents 2 and 4 to compulsorily
3
follow the traditions and customary practices followed hitherto for the appointment to the post of Shanti in Travancore Devaswom Board.
iii) issue a writ or order to declare that the second qualification prescribed in Exhibit P3 Notification for the post of Part Time Shanti in as far as "the certificates issued by the accredited Thanthra vidyalayas by the Travancore Devaswom Board or Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board" is unconstitutional.
iv) issue a writ or order to declare that the Travancore Devaswom Board should strictly adhere to the Agama/Nigama/Tantra concept in following the respective rituals, traditions and customary practices within the precincts of the temples under them.
v) issue a writ or order to declare that the fourth respondent has no expertise or authority to recognise and approve 'the reputed institutions" under No:2 [ii] of Rule 6 [1] [b] of Travancore Devaswom Board Officers and Servants Service Rules, 2022.
vi) issue a writ of Certiorari or any other order or direction calling for the records leading to Exhibit P2 and P3 and quash the same.
3. Thereafter, the very same Writ Petitioner approached this Court and filed W.P.(C) No. 8051 of 2025 seeking the following reliefs:
"i) Issue a writ of certiorari quashing Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board Act, 2015 and Rules made thereunder, in so far as it is pertain to selection and appointment of santhies and part time santhies of temples under Travancore Devaswom Board.
ii) in the event of this hon'ble court is of the view that Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board Act, 2015 and Rules made thereunder are not liable to be quashed, may issue a writ in the
4
nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding 4th respondent to include 3 experts nominated by the petitioner with power to award marks in the panel constituted for selection of santhies in the temples under Travancore Devaswom Board and to defer the present selection process of santhies till such nomination has effected.
iii) to issue a writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order ог direction commanding 4th respondent not to proceed with selection of santhies and part time santhies of temple of Travancore Devaswom Board."
4. It is thereafter that this Writ Petition was filed on 30.06.2025, when W.P.(C) No. 3994 of 2024 had come up for final hearing.
5. Today, when the matter is taken up, the learned counsel submitted that this Writ Petition can be dismissed as withdrawn so that the petitioner can pursue reliefs sought for in W.P.(C) No. 3994 of 2024.
6. In view of the said submission, this Writ Petition is dismissed as withdrawn.
Sd/-
RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V,
JUDGE
Sd/-
K.V. JAYAKUMAR,
JUDGE
APM
5