Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday upheld the prohibitory orders imposed on Sabarimala sannidhanam under Section 144 and banned any protests at the place.
In an interim order, a division bench appointed a three-member committee of observers comprising two retired judges of the High Court and Fire and Rescue Services DGP to monitor the situation.
The division bench stated that the police was free to examine the pilgrims in a decent and dignified manner. Retired Justice P.R. Raman and Justice S. Sirijagan and DGP A. Hemachandran are members of the panel to observe the situation at Sabarimala during the current Mandala-Maka-ravilakku pilgrimage season.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the restrictions at Sabarimala, the court said the early closure of annadanam and prasadam counters was not right. It said there should be facilities for the aged, children and physically challenged persons to take rest at the nadapandal.
The court called for round-the-clock services of KSRTC buses and availability of drinking water. It quashed the unilateral orders of the police, including a ban on namajapam at sannidhanam. However, the court allowed the police to erect barricades to separate those resting at the nadapandal and others coming for darshan.
In an oral observation, the court lambasted the attitude of certain IPS officers without naming them and expressed anger over the insulting behaviour against a High Court judge.
A suo motu case is not being taken as the judge concerned has declined to pursue the matter. This should not be seen as weakness of the court, the court warned.
The advocate-general had earlier made a detailed statement about the steps taken by the government at Sabarimala in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict. Stating that the measures taken by the government and other agencies were for the safety and security of the devotees, the AG said the government cannot act against the Supreme Court verdict.
He also submitted a detailed plan in a Kochi: ... sealed cover for women to have safe darshan in case they came on a pilgrimage. The court accepted the cover with the remark that they have confidence in the police and said the matter should be handled in an appropriate manner.
Quoting from the Supreme Court judgment, the AG submitted that the police were empowered to issue prohibitory orders if they apprehended a law and order problem. The police force alone was capable of speaking about the possibility of law and order.
The AG explained that not a single young woman was able to enter the temple due to the protests. He also read out from the report of the special commissioner on the violence at Sabarimala.
The government also submitted that the recommendation of the special commissioner for action against leaders of the political party involved in violence at Sabarimala should be implemented. The criminal background of those involved was submitted before the court. He also explained the practice of those fighting the police indulging in chanting Ayyappa hymns to masquerade as devotees.
