The Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB) has launched a two-pronged probe into the alleged manipulation of accounts of the Ernakulam Siva Temple, following multiple complaints lodged by the Temple Advisory Committee against the Devaswom Officer.

The internal Vigilance and audit wings of the CDB have been tasked with investigating the allegations and submitting reports at the earliest. “We will take action based on the outcome of these reports,” said senior CDB sources.

The Temple Advisory Committee and Devaswom Officer Akhil Damodaran have been on a collision course for months over the settlement of accounts related to the temple festival held in January. The committee lodged a complaint with the Commissioner, accompanied by a unanimous resolution passed against Mr. Damodaran on September 4. This was followed by a second complaint on September 7.

Ashok Kumar S, president of the Advisory Committee, welcomed the CDB’s decision to probe the allegations. “We have no personal grudge against anyone, but want to ensure transparency in the conduct of temple affairs,” he said.

In its second complaint, the committee demanded an immediate independent audit of the accounts relating to the 2025–26 festival and related temple finances by an authority unconnected with the temple’s routine administration. It accused Mr. Damodaran of attempting to manipulate financial records and expenditure accounts by engaging third parties.

The letter urged urgent steps to secure and preserve all relevant financial records, vouchers, ledgers, and related documents to prevent further tampering. It demanded that Mr. Damodaran and others from acting on their behalf be restrained from accessing or altering the accounts pending inquiry. It also sought disciplinary action against both officers, their transfer from the temple, and replacement by upright officials.

Mr. Damodaran, who has held office since 2022, dismissed the allegations as stemming from personal vengeance after he lodged complaints against some committee members over the conduct of temple affairs.

“As per the by-law of the Cochin Devaswom Board, clearing the financial statements of the temple is the responsibility of the Advisory Committee secretary, while the Devaswom Officer’s role is limited to assisting him. I have informed the committee that the accounts related to the festival will be ready for approval by September 16, for which I engaged two employees from the Devaswom Board. Yet, the committee hurriedly convened a meeting on September 3 and passed a resolution against me,” he said.