mathrubhumi A recent audit report has exposed serious irregularities and mismanagement in the handling of properties owned by the Devaswom Board in Kerala. According to the findings, temple lands worth crores of rupees have gone missing, with several ownership records either tampered with or lost altogether.
The audit uncovered that valuable temple lands, including those in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, have been encroached upon or illegally transferred under false documentation. Some properties that were leased out reportedly generated no income for the Board, raising suspicions of corruption and fund misappropriation.
Officials responsible for managing these properties are now under scrutiny, with recommendations for an in-depth investigation. Experts have emphasized the urgent need to digitize land records and reclaim ownership of encroached properties to prevent further loss.
