The division bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. passed the above order based on the report of the Special Commissioner that obstruction was caused to the pilgrims at Sabarimala on December 5, 2024 due to the arrival of Malayalam film actor Dileep for darshan.

“We deem it appropriate to direct the Travancore Devaswom Board to take necessary steps to ensure that such incidents, causing obstruction of proper darshan by the standing pilgrims, which include small children, elderly and disabled people, do not reproduce. in front of Sopanam of Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season.

The Court was informed by the Special Commissioner that the pilgrims were crowded and suffocated and their darshan was obstructed. It was informed that Dileep was in front of Sopanam at Sabarimala during the entire ceremony, which disrupted effective crowd management.

The Court orally observed that it would initiate contempt proceedings against officials who grant special privileges to celebrities and other public figures without adhering to the Court’s orders on crowd management. She also said she would consider whether to include these celebrities, who create obstacles for pilgrims, as additional defendants in the case.

The court sought a report from the officers in charge of Sabarimala and also ordered production of CCTV footage.

File number: SSCR 79/2024

Case Title: Suo Moto v State of Kerala