Kerala HC misled? ₹3 crore TDB surplus fund allegedly used for Global Ayyappa Summit

Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board allegedly misled the court over funding for the Global Ayyappa Summit, according to documents obtained by 'Mathrubhumi News'. While the government had informed the Kerala High Court that neither it nor the Devaswom Board would spend a single rupee on the event, ₹3 crore was reportedly allocated from the Board’s surplus fund.

The key evidence comes from an order issued by the Devaswom Commissioner five days before the Summit, held on September 15, 2025.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), responsibility for organising the Global Ayyappa Summit was assigned to the event management company Indian Institute of Infrastructure and Construction, with a total cost of ₹8.22 crore. The order shows that ₹3 crore was released as an advance from the Devaswom Commissioner’s surplus fund, with the account number specified.

Surplus funds are donations made by devotees and are not meant to be used for such purposes. The Devaswom Commissioner can allocate these funds only with the High Court’s permission. During the COVID-19 financial crisis, the surplus fund was used with special court approval and later reimbursed. Normally, these funds are intended for asset development or construction projects under the Devaswom Board.

Meanwhile, an affidavit filed in the High Court stated that neither the government nor the Devaswom Board would contribute to the Summit, and that the required funds would come from sponsors.