The Kerala High Court admitted a petition brought by two parishioners of the Church of South India (CSI) South Kerala Diocese, which challenges alleged manipulation in the church’s voter list and seeks to restrain the forthcoming triennial elections pending adjudication. The court directed issuance of notices to respondents, including the CSI Synod, the South Kerala Diocese, and the relevant election officials, and called upon the registry to seek a status report on an interim injunction application already pending at the Principal Munsiff Court, Thiruvananthapuram. The court made clear that any elections conducted under Clauses B and C of the revised triennial election notification for 2024–2027 would proceed only subject to the ultimate outcome of the main petition.
In their petition, the two parishioners contend that their names were wrongfully omitted from the electoral roll of the Manathottam CSI Church congregation despite having satisfied all eligibility criteria. Those criteria included consistent payment of subscriptions, regular participation in Holy Communion, and compliance with the constitutional requirements of the church. The petitioners maintain that they have been members and actively involved in the congregation, yet the local election authorities and church officials excluded them from the list.
Prior to initiating the suit, the petitioners approached the District Council and the Diocesan Council of CSI but received no favorable response. The CSI Synod intervened by constituting an Inquiry Commission led by the Bishop of the Kanyakumari Diocese, Rt. Rev. Chelliah. The commission submitted its report in March 2024, confirming that the petitioners met the eligibility requirements for enrollment as voters and directing their inclusion in the roll. The Synod accepted the commission’s finding. Despite that, the petitioners allege that the Election Officer and the local presbyter persisted in preparing election proceedings based on a voters’ list that they assert is invalid under the Synod’s determination.
The petition asserts that proceeding with the election on the basis of the list excluding the petitioners would not only violate the church constitution but also contravene the binding effect of the Synod’s accepted inquiry report. The plea is identified under the case title Jovin Jose V J v Church of South India and Others. The court posted the matter for further consideration on October 17, 2025.
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