"Justice Indu Malhotra Is Misled, Should Have Verified Facts" : Justice KT Thomas On Her Comments Of Communist Govts Taking Over Temples

Former Supreme Court judge Justice KT Thomas has criticized former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra over her allegation that Communist governments are taking over Hindu temples.

In an interview given to Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi, Justice Thomas said that Justice Malhotra might have been misled by somebody and that she should have verified facts before making public comments.

"I won't say she is prejudiced in this issue. But someone has given false information to her. She should have verified facts before making a public comment", Justice Thomas said.

Earlier this week, Justice Malhotra stirred a row after a video of her comments became viral in social media. In the video, which appears to have been taken outside the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram, the ex-judge was seen as telling few people that Communist governments all over are taking over Hindu temples for revenue. She further added that the Supreme Court did not permit that. This comment was apparently in reference to the Supreme Court's judgment delivered in July 2020 in the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple case. In the verdict, a bench comprising Justice UU Lalit and Justice Indu Malhotra had held that the successor of the last ruler of the Travancore Kingdom will have the rights of the "Shebait" in the temple.

The Court also handed over the administration of the temple to an Administrative Committee headed by the District Judge of Thiruvananthapuram and consisting of a Secretary level IAS Officer of the Kerala Government, official nominees of the State Government and the Union Government, nominee of the ex-royal family and the Chief Thantri of the temple.

The judgment further directed the Temple Administrative Committee to take steps to pay Rs 11.70 crores to the State Government towards the expenses incurred by the State for the maintenance of the temple during 2012-2019.

Further, the Court ordered a Special Audit of last 25 years of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Trust formed by the royal family. Last year, the Court rejected a prayer made by the Trust seeking exemption from the Special Audit.

The comments of Justice Malhotra drew criticism from various quarters. Former Kerala Finance Minister Dr.Thomas Issac stated in a tweet : "Justice Indu Malhotra is ignorant of public finance of Kerala government,and worse,deeply prejudiced against communists. Not a paise of temple revenues enter budget receipts, while hundreds of crores are spent for facilities for devotees and to support temple administration".