High court-appointed panel to visit Sabarimala on Tuesday

KOCHI: The three-member committee appointed by the high court to oversee the smooth pilgrimage at Sabarimala will reach Sannidhanam on Tuesday. The committee held its first meeting at the devaswom board guest house in Aluva on Sunday.

In the three-hour meeting, the panel decided to examine the facilities at Nilackal, Pamba and Sannidhanam on Tuesday. The panel also said that they would not intervene in the subject of imposition of Section 144 as it was a sub judice matter.

"We are yet to visit Sabarimala and do not know whether there is lack of basic facilities there for pilgrims. If so, we will ensure that basic amenities are provided," said P R Raman, former high court judge and panel member.

Asked about the low turnout of devotees to the temple following the recent incidents, he said that it might be related to the high restrictions imposed on the devotees coming to Sabarimala.

However, the committee members made it clear that they can give directives on relaxing the restrictions at Sabarimala only after visiting the place and examining the ground situation.

"The high court had itself said that restrictions in Sabarimala are to be relaxed, the panel cannot take a stand any different from that," he said.

The committee, which was given full powers to carry out its mandate, was formed by the high court on Saturday and comprises former high court judges P R Raman and S Siri Jagan and DGP A Hemachandran. Twenty years ago, HC had also appointed a district judge as the special commissioner to Sabarimala temple.

Travancore devaswom board president A Padmakumar, board member Sankar Das, board commissioner N Vasu and Sabarimala special commissioner M Manoj also participated in the meeting held in Aluva along with chief engineer and executive engineer.