HC criticizes state government over virtual queue in Sabarimala, says Devaswom Board should bring about such regulation

KOCHI: The high court has criticized the state government for setting up a virtual queue for Sabarimala darshan. The High Court asked what power the state government and the police have to impose a virtual queue.

As the temple trustee, the Devaswom Board is responsible for bringing about such regulation. The court asked what is the role of the government in dealing with temple matters and whether they had the permission of Devaswom Bench to impose a virtual queue.

However, the government told the high court that it had good intentions in setting up the virtual queue. The virtual queue was brought in for hassle-free darshan. The virtual queue has been around since 2011. There are no significant complaints yet. It was only in the Covid situation of 2019 that darshan was made through the virtual queue. 80 lakh people have been allowed to visit through the virtual queue, the government told the court.

The police told the high court that the report of the special commissioner that the board as the temple trustee has the power to impose a virtual queue should be rejected.