SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Special Commissioner, Sabarimala has filed this report seeking the following directions regarding temple festival and Meena Masa Pooja at Sabarimala Temple for the period from 8/3/2022 till 19/3/2022;

(2.) On 28/2/2022, when this report came up for consideration, the learned Government Pleader sought time to get instructions.

(3.) On 3/3/2022, the learned Senior Government Pleader, on instructions from the State Disaster Management Authority, submitted that a decision has already been taken to permit pilgrims, who have taken double dose of Covid vaccine, to have Sabarimala Darshan, without production of RT-PCR negative certificate. The State Disaster Management Authority, in principle, decided to lift the restrictions regarding the number of pilgrims per day to have Sabarimala Darshan (which is presently 15,000 per day), through online booking. Formal orders in this regard will be issued within two days. A decision has already been taken to open Neelimala- Appachimedu trekking route for Sabarimala pilgrims. Steps are being taken by the Director of Health Services and also the District Medical Officer, Pathanamthitta, to post Cardiologists, Paramedics and supporting staff at the Cardiology Centre at Neelimala and Appachimedu, during the temple festival and Meena Masa Pooja at Sabarimala Temple.