Karnataka High Court seeks detailed report on digitisation of all temple valuables, assets

The court consequently dismissed the plea, while clarifying that the petitioner could avail himself of the statutory remedy of appeal if he had any grievance with the enquiry report or the action taken pursuant to it.

During the proceedings, the court also sought clarification from the state on whether a consolidated inventory of gold, silver and other valuable items of temples across Karnataka had been prepared.

The state submitted that such an inventory had indeed been made. However, when asked whether the inventory had been uploaded on the official website along with details of custodial entrustment, the State informed the court that a detailed report in this regard would be filed.

The court therefore directed it to place on record the following:

Status report on digitisation of temple assets

A detailed, consolidated, and updated status report regarding the uploading of complete information relating to the valuables and assets of temples across the state on the official website of the Endowment Commissioner which shall include:

• The stage-wise progress of digitisation and uploading of temple valuables and properties.
• The district-wise, temple-wise, and categorywise break-up of such uploaded data.
• The Taluka -wise, temple-wise, and categorywise break-up of such uploaded data
• The date of commencement and the present status of the uploading process.
• The technical platform, software application, or portal being utilised for hosting such information.
• The frequency and mechanism of periodic updating of the data so uploaded.
• The identity of the authority responsible for data entry, verification, and authentication.
• The system of access control, cyber security safeguards, and data protection measures adopted.
• The entrustment of custody, if any, of temple valuables to third parties, banks, lockers, treasuries, strong rooms, museums, or other agencies, along with the terms and conditions governing such entrustment.
• All other incidental, consequential, and allied aspects having a direct bearing on transparency, accountability, and protection of temple assets.

Asset Inventory and Valuation

The court further directed that the details shall comprehensively include:

• A complete and item-wise inventory of all movable and immovable valuables, including ornaments, vessels, idols, artefacts, jewels, coins, antiques, other sacred or historical objects, etc.
• The methodology adopted for valuation, the name and designation of the competent valuer/s, and the latest assessed market value, along with the date of such valuation.
• High-resolution photographs and videographic documentation, wherever feasible, of each item forming part of the inventory
• Source-wise classification indicating whether each item has been received by way of: Donation, Bequest or endowment, Purchase from temple funds, Government grant.
• In cases of donations, the date of donation, particulars of the donor (where permissible), and nature of the donation.
• In cases of purchases, the date of purchase, cost incurred, mode of payment, vendor details, and certified copies of invoices, vouchers, and supporting financial records.
• Details of insurance coverage, including policy number, insurer, coverage value, and period of validity;
• Details regarding the place of storage, custody arrangements, security mechanisms, access control systems, audit trails, and inspection protocols.
• The audit status.
• Details of alienation, loss, damage, replacement, repair, or restoration, if any, with supporting orders and documentation.

Details of loss, theft, and damage

• Comprehensive details of loss, theft, misappropriation, disappearance, damage, or destruction, if any, of any valuables, articles, ornaments, assets, or properties forming part of the aforesaid inventory.

Details of pending proceedings

• Complete particulars of all pending proceedings, whether civil, criminal, revenue, departmental, audit, surcharge, quasi-judicial, or writ proceedings, directly or indirectly connected with temple valuables, temple funds, alienation, misappropriation, loss, theft, encroachments, maladministration, or breach of trust.

Recovery details

• Exhaustive details of recovery, if any, effected in respect of stolen, lost, misappropriated, diverted, fraudulently alienated, or unlawfully disposed of temple properties and valuables