SUO MOTU Vs. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This suo motu proceedings was registered on 6/9/2021, based on a news item that appeared in an online media regarding certain activities undertaken in the Nadappanthal in front of Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, in connection with the wedding of the son of an industrialist, Sri.Ravi Pillai, which was scheduled to be held on 9/9/2021. As per the photographs in that online media report, huge cut-outs, branches of trees, etc., are used for decorating the Nadappanthal in front of Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple. On 6/9/2021, at 4.00 p.m., the learned Standing Counsel for Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee (hereinafter referred to as 'the Managing Committee'), on instructions, submitted that the cut-outs, branches of trees, etc., used for decorating the Nadappanthal in front of the temple have already been removed. The learned Standing Counsel made available for the perusal of this Court two photographs of the Nadappanthal taken at 3.15 p.m. and sought time to get instructions on the permission, if any, granted in connection with the marriage in question, to decorate the Nadappanthal in front of the temple.

(2.) On 7/9/2021, when this DBP came up for consideration, the learned Standing Counsel for the Managing Committee submitted that the Committee has taken a decision on 12/2/2021 to permit Pushpalankaaram in the Nadappanthal, in connection with the marriage in question. No permission was granted for decorating the Nadappanthal with cut-outs, branches of trees, etc. Everyday 110 marriages are being conducted in the Nadappanthal in front of Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, in strict compliance of Covid-19 protocol. Each marriage party is permitted to have only 12 persons (excluding the bride and the bridegroom). By the order dtd. 7/9/2021, this Court directed the 1st respondent Administrator of Guruvayur Devaswom to file an affidavit explaining the facts and circumstances in which the Nadappanthal in front of the temple was decorated with huge cut-outs, branches of trees, etc., as seen from the photographs in the online media report. By the said order, the Administrator was directed to take necessary steps to ensure that there is no violation of Covid-19 protocol in the conduct of marriages in the Nadappanthal in front of Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple.

(3.) On 9/9/2021, after the marriage ceremony, news items with video appeared in online media, as per which the marriage ceremony conducted at the Nadappanthal in front of Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple was attended by persons far in excess of 12 (excluding the bride and the bridegroom). Instead of Pushpalankaaram the Nadappanthal was decorated mainly with ornamental leaves and decorative hangings, with few flowers.