Kochi: The High Court on Monday remarked that the delay in the investigation against the police officials responsible for violence at Sabarimala should be considered as the incompetence of the force. The court also warned that if necessary other investigation agencies will be summoned to probe the matter. The court also directed the petitioners that peace and calm prevailing at present at Sabarimala should not be vitiated.
The court made the observations while considering a petition in connection with the police damaging the two-wheelers of those who had assembled at Nilakkal protesting against the entry of women of reproductive age during the Thula Masa pooja. The violence between the police and the Ayyappa devotees resulted in injuries to many, including mediapersons.
The Devaswom Bench of the court pointed out that months had passed since the violence and that the lethargy in the completion of the investigation should be viewed as incompetence. The counsel for the government submitted that the probe was progressing and that three police personnel involved in the incident had been identified. The police personnel deployed belong to different battalions and it will take time to identify them, the counsel submitted. The court then asked the government to submit a report within two weeks on the measures taken by it.
The court settled 10 petitions, including the infrastructural woes and lack of basic facilities connected with Sabarimala on Monday.
