Sabarimala Crowd Management: Kerala HC Issues Guidelines Against Pilgrims' Exploitation, Directs Authorities To Raise Awareness On Court Proceedings

The Court issued the guidelines while hearing a suo moto petition where it was considering issues regarding crowd management of pilgrims at Sabarimala during the Mandala- Makaravilakku festival season.

Taking note of the fact that the High Court registry received around 300 complaints by email regarding various issues faced by pilgrims in Sabarimala, the Division Bench comprising, Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice G. Girish observed that the pilgrims should be made aware of the orders issued by the Court. It noted that most of the grievances raised by the pilgrims were already addressed by the Court through its previous orders. The Court directed thus:

“Considering the number of e-mails received on 13.12.2023, we deem it appropriate to direct the Travancore Devaswom Board to issue an advisory to the pilgrims in the Virtual-Q platform about the pendency of SSCR No.29 of 2023 (regarding crowd management), SSCR No.30 of 2023 (regarding road safety) and SSCR No.36 of 2023 (regarding Sabarimala Edathavalams) and that various orders passed by this Court in the above reports can be viewed in the official Website of the High Court of Kerala.”

The Court also directed the Executive Magistrate, Erumeli to take necessary steps for the prevention of exploitation of pilgrims at Sabarimala. It also directed the Secretary of the Erumeli Grama Panchayath in Sabarimala to ensure that there are no unauthorized parking grounds and that there is no collection of excess fees at any parking grounds.

Yesterday, the Court was informed that the crowd management at Sabarimala was under control. It was also submitted before the Court that pilgrims are provided with parking facilities, Annadhanam, toilet and Viri facilities at Sabarimala Edathavalams in Pathanamthitta and Kottayam Districts. The Court was also apprised regarding increased parking facilities and mobile squads for effective crowd management of pilgrims.

Regarding the issue of excess parking fees, the court was informed that the approved price list of parking fees were exhibited in almost all hotels and restaurants in Sabarimala. It also imposed a fine of rupees five thousand on the holder of a parking ground under the Travancore Devaswom Board.

The Court was also informed by the Standing Counsel of KSRTC that they were deploying additional buses at the hilltop as per the earlier directions from the Court.

Further, the Court was also informed that news reports circulating in the visual and social media regarding attacks against pilgrims by police were false and not from Sabarimala.

The Court also suo moto impleaded Executive Magistrate and Secretary of Erumeli Grama Panchayath, Pathanamthitta as additional respondents.

The previous reports from LiveLaw regarding the various guidelines issued by the Court to the State Police, officials of the Motor Vehicle Department and the Travancore Devaswom Board can be accessed here:-

1. Kerala High Court Issues Guidelines For Crowd Management Of Pilgrims At Sabarimala Temple During Mandala-Makaravilakku Festival

2. Sabarimala Crowd Management: Kerala HC Issues Slew Of Directions, Asks Police Authorities To Ensure KSRTC Bus Availability

Appearance: Senior Government Pleader S Rajmohan, Amicus Curiae N Raghuraj

Case title: Suo Moto v State of Kerala

Case number: SSCR Nos.29, 36, 41 and 42 of 2023

Click Here To Read/Download The Orders Issued At 10.15 AM And 3 PM