GOPAKUMAR B.NAIR Vs. GURVAYOR DEVASWOM MANAGING COMMITTEE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner a devotee seeks permission for entry of devotees into the Nalambalam and Chuttambalam of the Guruvayur Temple during 'Ekadasi Vilakku'. It is argued that if production of Covid -19 RTPCR negative certificate, along with online booking is insisted, the fear of spread of the pandemic can be avoided. It is also pointed out that at the stage of disposal of an earlier writ petition, the judgment in which is produced as Ext.P1, the undertaking of the Devaswom that they would make periodical review has been recorded. It is prayed that there may be a mandamus issued to carry out such periodical review.

(2.) Learned Standing Counsel for the Board appears and submits that the officials of the Board are assessing the situation on a day to day basis and the Board is also appraised of it periodically. The Board has taken some decisions in review of the existing ones which have been submitted for approval before the Government. As of now the situation is not conducive to allow the prayers sought for by the petitioner.

(3.) In the context of the submission made by the learned Standing Counsel we do not find any reason to entertain the writ petition. The State is still reeling under the clutches of the pandemic and an RTPCR certificate issued for the purpose of online booking cannot ensure that the particular devotee is not infected on his way to the temple. There is still not much clarity or medical evidence as to how the pandemic is transmitted. We are of the opinion that there is no reason for interference of this Court at this stage.