Dileep’s visit to Sabarimala violated its directive to ensure uninterrupted movement of pilgrims: Kerala High Court

TDB and Chief Police Coordinator directed to take necessary steps to ensure that no pilgrims are permitted to stand in front of the Sopanam.

Observing that the Kerala High Court directive to ensure uninterrupted movement of pilgrims in front of the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam was openly flouted by the visit of actor Dileep on December 5, a Division Bench of the High Court on Thursday (December 12) directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the Chief Police Coordinator to take necessary steps to ensure that no pilgrims are permitted to stand in front of the Sopanam for long as in the case of actor, blocking the darshan of other pilgrims.

The Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendra and Muralee Krishna S., which viewed the CCTV footage of the actor’s visit, noted that the movement of pilgrims through the first row in front of Sopanam was blocked from the southern side by a Devaswom guard on duty at 10:58:10 p.m when the actor entered the Sopanam from the southern side. Till the actor left the Sopanam, none of the pilgrims standing in the first row were permitted to move forward towards the southern side of the Sopanam.

Counsel for the TDB submitted that based on the report of the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police), the Board has already issued show cause notices to Sabarimala’s administrative officer, assistant executive officer and two guards Biju Bose and Shine T. Raj.

The court also directed the TDB to file a report on the action taken against the officers concerned.

Published - December 12, 2024 06:40 pm IST