SUO MOTU Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This DBP is registered suo motu, vide proceedings dtd. 4/7/2023, based on a news report that appeared today (4/7/2023) in Malayala Manorama daily regarding 'Sahasradravyakalasam' in Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple, which is a Temple under the management of Cochin Devaswom Board. The said ritual, which is conducted after a long period of 24 years, will commence tomorrow (5/7/2023), for a period of ten days.

(2.) Today, when this matter was taken up for consideration at 11.00 a.m, the learned Senior Government Pleader and the learned Standing Counsel for Cochin Devaswom Board were directed to get instructions. The Temple Advisory Committee of Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple, represented by its Secretary was impleaded as the additional 9th respondent and the said Committee entered appearance through Adv.P.Sreekumar.

(3.) When the matter is taken up again at 2.00 p.m, the learned Senior Government Pleader, on instructions would submit that the Police has already made a detailed Bandobust Scheme in connection with 'Sahasradravyakalasam' in Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple. In addition to Police force from Chottanikkara Police Station, additional Police force from Puthankurishu Police Station, Mulanthuruthy Police Station and Piravom Police Station are deployed for crowd management. 15 Police personnel, including women police personnel, will be deployed inside the Temple premises. 5 police personnel will be deployed for traffic management and a control room vehicle will be on duty, with 3 police personnel. The 4th respondent Station House Officer has made all these arrangements in consultation with Deputy Superintendent of Police, Puthankurishu.