Kochi: The High Court on Thursday refused to intervene in the Supreme Court verdict allowing young women to enter Sabarimala temple and observed that the state government has the responsibility to implement the verdict of the apex court.
The court was considering a petition seeking a ban on the entry of women in the age group of 10-50 till the Supreme Court completes the hearing on a series of revision petitions on the earlier verdict. The petitioner pleaded that the entry of women without age bar should be suspended till the Supreme Court heard the revision petitions scheduled on Nov. 13. A bench headed by the chief justice rejected the plea and observed that the state government has to implement the Supreme Court verdict and that the government is engaged in it. The court also said the government cannot remain an idle spectator till the completion in the hearing of the revision petitions.
Mr M. Thankappa Menon, the petitioner, pointed out that the apex court had not taken into account the issue of menstrual period in its verdict while allowing the entry of young women in the temple. The High Court, however, said that it was for the Supreme Court to examine the matter as the High Court does not have the legal mandate to intervene in a Supreme Court verdict. The petitioner can approach the apex court if needed.
The court also rejected the contention of the petitioner that implementation of the verdict would lead to bloodshed by saying that rules and regulations are formulated in the country to avoid bloodshed. The counsel for the petitioner then informed the withdrawal of the petition.
