The Kerala High Court has expressed shock and dismay over the Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB) incurring expenses amounting to ₹28.44 lakh on the repair of residential quarters and purchase of a vehicle and household articles for Board Commissioner S.R. Udayakumar, in violation of rules and regulations.

A Division Bench of Justices V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar noted the irregularities flagged by the Deputy Director, Kerala State Audit department, and ordered the department to conclude the audit of the Board for 2023-24 within three months. The Board was also asked to report within one month on the proceedings issued by it to finalise the audit objections.

The court disposed of the petition by recording its strong disapproval of the actions of the Board and its top officials in spending the Board’s money on the luxuries and comforts of its officers in violation of the law.

The petition alleged that a significant amount of the Board’s allocated budget was spent on renovating the residential quarters allotted to Mr. Udayakumar. A total of ₹8.24 lakh was spent on civil repair works, ₹1.32 lakh on electrical works, ₹4.23 lakh on household items and furniture, and ₹14.63 lakh on a new vehicle. In addition, ₹12.78 lakh was payable to the contractor for the repair work he had carried out.

Published - August 19, 2026 09:45 pm IST