Govt. to decide on judicial probe into Sabarimala: HC

Kochi: The Kerala high court on Tuesday said it was for the state government to decide on a judicial inquiry into untoward incidents at Sabarimala during the recent monthly pujas after forming an opinion in the legislative assembly.

A division bench of Justices P R Ramachandra Menon and Devan Ramachandran gave its stance on a petition alleging that the incidents were attempts to destroy the temple at the behest of persons and organisations within and outside the country.

It also alleged that a few activists had come to Sabarimala to create unrest and the ruling party in the state was aiding forces trying to destroy the temple.

The petitioner’s counsel, however, withdrew the plea soon after the court gave its stance.

Two new petitions related to Sabarimala were also filed on filed on Tuesday, one seeking deferring women’s entry to the temple until the Supreme Court disposed the review petitions and the other challenging the new restriction on devotees’ stay at Sannidhanam.

The temple is scheduled to open for Chithira Attathirunal on November 5 and the two-month annual pilgrimage on November 17.

They contend that the Supreme Court had not yet decided on the status of Lord Ayyappa as a ‘naishtika brahmachari’ and the 24-hour restriction on devotees at Sannidhanam violated their fundamental rights.