SUO MOTU Vs. TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, has filed this Report reporting that a cartel of persons claiming to be the headload workers are causing obstructions to the loading and unloading of Pooja articles and also other articles and goods for providing facilities to the pilgrims in Pampa and Sannidhanam.

(2.) In the Report, the Special Commissioner has stated that all the activities carried on in Sabarimala, Pampa and Nilackal are to facilitate activities of the temples situated therein and to provide facilities to pilgrims. Pooja articles, raw materials for making prasadam, raw materials for Annadanam, etc., are being transported by the Travancore Devaswom Board, by tractors, from Pampa to Sannidhanam. Since the Board is expected to provide support and facilities to the pilgrims, there are hotels and shops by the Board. The goods and articles for these hotels and shops and also materials for construction activities are being transported by tractors from Pampa to Sannidhanam. A cartel of persons claiming to be the headload workers are obstructing the loading and unloading activities, adversely affecting the transportation of goods and articles to Sannidhanam.

(3.) Heard the learned Amicus Curiae for the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, the learned Standing Counsel for the 1st respondent-Travancore Devaswom Board, the learned Senior Government Pleader for respondents 2 and 5 to 8 and also Sri.Siju Kamalasanan, the learned Standing Counsel for additional 4th respondent-Kerala Headload Workers Welfare Board, District Committee, Pathanamthitta.