Lord Shiva Temple at Ernakulam , one of Maha Kshetra (great temple) in South India has become a much sought after “watering hole” for tipplers thanks to trade union leaders and politicians affiliated to the CPI-M.

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court took cognizance of social media reports and suo motu filed cases against certain officials in charge of the temple.

The High Court  has also asked the Kochi Devaswam Board to submit a status report on the allegations against the trade union leaders and party commissars.

Shanu M Mohan, a counter assistant in the temple, who was found in an inebriated condition in the temple premises was caught red handed by a group of devotees and handed over to the temple authorities.

Mohan is the head of Temple Employees Union under the control of the Centre of Indian Trade Union, affiliated to the CPI-M. He has been suspended by the Kochi Devaswam Board since then.

Devotees who regularly pay their obeisance to the presiding deity told The Pioneer that Mohan was a law unto himself and has terrorized the staff as well as the devotees.

It is reported that Mohan, Akhil Damodaran (Devasawam Officer) and two casual workers belonging to the CITU were occupying the guest rooms of the temple without paying any rent. The rooms were stocked with liquor and non-vegetarian food for Mohan and Damodaran.

Justices Anil K Narendran and P G Ajith Kumar has asked the Devasawm Board Commissioner to file a status report regarding the functioning of the temple and the number of cases that have been registered against temple staff for consuming liquor inside the temples that fall under the jurisdiction of Kochi Devaswam Board.

Vadakkumnathan Temple (Thrissur), Chottanikkara Devi Temple,   Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, Tripunithura are the other famous Temples besides the Lord Shiva Temple that are administered by the Kochi Devasawam Temple. There are complaints from devotees that temple staff consume liquor as well as non-vegetarian food inside the temple premiss. The High Court has asked the Devaswam offcials to give a detailed account of the incidents against which action has been taken by the Board.

Since the CPI-M and the CITU are powerful organisations, the Board Officials are caught in a Catch-22 position.