The Kerala High Court has stayed the Tiruvitamkoor Devaswom Board’s permission granted to an individual for installing an Ayyappa murti, made of panchaloha (five metals—iron, tin, copper, gold, and silver), within the premises of the Sabarimala shrine. The stay is effective for two weeks. All follow-up activities have also been stayed.
The Bench comprising Justices Anil Narendran and S. Muralikrishna issued the interim order on July 23, based on a report submitted by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner. According to the report, E.K. Sahadevan, Chairman of Lotus Multi Speciality Hospital and IVF Fertility Centre, both located in Erode, Tamil Nadu, obtained permission from the CPM-controlled Devaswom Board to install the murti. Allegations have surfaced that Sahadevan circulated pamphlets among the public, soliciting donations for the installation. Further allegations suggest that donations were being directed to an account belonging to the ‘Rotary Freedom India Trust’.
The High Court came down heavily on the Devaswom Board for its indifferent handling of the matter. The Court questioned whether the Board does anything beyond giving advice to the Virtual Queue Platform. It observed that when a private individual solicits money for installing an murti in the temple premises, the Board ought to have informed the police.
The court also directed the Chief Police Coordinator at Sabarimala to ensure that a case is registered in connection with the illegal fundraising for the idol installation. It noted that, thus far, the Devaswom Board has not filed any complaint. The Court also ordered that Sahadevan, or anyone else, must be prevented from withdrawing the credited funds from the mentioned account.
Earlier, during the hearing, the Court had directed that notice be emailed to Sahadevan. However, no one appeared on his behalf. The Court has now instructed the Registry to resend the notice via speed post.
The Court noted that, upon examining the records, it found that Sahadevan had submitted his application on 31 May, and it was later placed before the Devaswom Board for consideration. The Board’s file includes a letter from its President granting permission to install the murti, dated July 1. However, the Court observed that the Devaswom Commissioner had not submitted any report on the request, as he was expected to do. Furthermore, the file does not indicate whether the opinion of the Sabarimala Thanthri had been sought. As per age-old faith, the Thanthri is the final authority in temple matters and is considered the ‘father of the deity’.
Believers feel relieved that the judiciary is safeguarding their faith and anxieties. Right-thinking people are questioning the need for another murti within the temple premises at this point.
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