Daijiworld News Network - Kundapur (GA)

Kundapur, Jun 27: In an important ruling the High Court on Monday June 26 issued an order to reconstitute the managing committee of Shri Mookambika Temple at Kollur near here within the next one month.

A High Court judicial bench comprising of Justice B Padmaraj and Justice S Abdul Nazeer also ordered to complete the investigation about the alleged corruption in the accounts of the Kollur Temple within the next 8 weeks.

The judicial bench took to task the state government for not speeding up the investigation with regards to the alleged corruption.  "This shows the apathy of government in the public matters.  However, this should not continue in the same vein.  Government should always give priority to respect the feeling of the devotees and should also be ready to protect the property of the temple," said the judges.

The High Court has clearly directed not to appoint tainted person to the new managing committee.  Only those who have a genuine desire to serve the temple and devotees should be the members of the managing committee.  Politics should not be the priority in these appointments, directed the High Court to government.

The earlier managing committee which was functioning from May 10, 2000 to May 9, 2005 was subjected to investigation after corruption charges were made against it.  S M Jamdar, general secretary of the revenue department was asked to lead the investigation.  However, the latter had said that government had not issued an official order.  In his writ he also said that eversince an administrator was appointed to look after the day-to-day proceedings of the temple, the income has increased by three times and expenditure too has come down.