NANDITHA RAJ Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is a minor child aged below ten years. It is stated that her parents had made a vow before the birth of the petitioner that they would take the petitioner once for Sabarimala darshan. In order to fulfil the said vow, the parents of the petitioner applied for booking for darshan in the online portal for Sabarimal darshan. It is stated that though the parents of the petitioner could secure bookings for darshan, the petitioner could not secure booking as the system is not accepting the request for booking made on behalf of the petitioner as she is aged below 10 years. The case of the petitioner is that there is absolutely no justification for denying entry to the petitioner to the Sabarimala temple. It is also the case of the petitioner that if she crosses the age of 10 years, her parents may not be able to take her for darshan. She therefore seeks, appropriate directions in this regard in the writ petition.

(2.) A statement has been filed on behalf of the second respondent. The stand taken in the said statement is that entry is denied to the petitioner in the light of Annexure R2(a) decision taken by the Government on 28.09.2020 as part of the measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

(3.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Government Pleader as also the learned Standing Counsel for the third respondent.