The Kerala High Court has highlighted discrepancies in the financial accounts of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam and has instructed the auditor to furnish a detailed report within ten days. This issue arose during the court’s investigation into alleged financial irregularities linked to the event. The auditor revealed during the hearing that inconsistencies were found in the financial statements submitted for the program.
The court, acknowledging these discrepancies, inquired about potential corrective actions to address the issues and requested a comprehensive report from the auditor outlining the problems and proposed rectification measures. Earlier, the court had taken up the matter as part of its review of the event’s financial accounts. It had also directed Vijayan Associates, the firm responsible for preparing the accounts on behalf of the Travancore Devaswom Board, to be involved in the case and present all relevant records to the court.
Following the court’s critique of the delayed submission of accounts, accounts prepared by a private chartered accountant were submitted through the Special Commissioner. However, discrepancies were reportedly discovered in these records during examination. Consequently, the Travancore Devaswom Board established a committee to verify the accounts, yet has not yet provided a consolidated and verified statement to the court.
The court, unsatisfied with the progress, initiated a direct review of the financial records. During the hearing, the State Audit Department informed the court that the Devaswom Board had not supplied the financial records requested for verification. The Board, however, stated that all documents had been handed over to a private chartered accountant for account preparation. The court will revisit the matter once the auditor submits the detailed report as instructed.
