Panchaloha idol in Sabarimala: High Court stays permission, seeks probe into money collection

KOCHI: The High Court stayed the Travancore Devaswom Board decision granting permission to a private individual to install a Panchaloha idol of Lord Ayyappa within the Sabarimala temple premises. The Devaswom bench, comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice S. Muralikrishna, also ordered a police investigation into the money collection in this regard. The court also directed the Sabarimala Chief Police Coordinator to ensure that no one withdraws the donations made into the account of the private trust.

Dr EK Sahadevan, chairman of Lotus Multispecialty Hospital in Erode, Tamil Nadu, started the money collection.

Dr. E.K. Sahadevan, chairman of Lotus Multispecialty Hospital in Erode, Tamil Nadu, started the money collection. The government said that the police coordinator found a large amount of money deposited in the bank account of a trust called 'Rotary Freedom India' in the name of the Panchaloha idol. The court criticised the concerned officer of the Devaswom Board for not filing a complaint with the police yet. It also directed that action be taken in this regard by contacting the Pampa SHO.

Dr. Sahadevan was given a notice by e-mail, but he has not replied yet. The court directed the registry to send a new notice by speed post. Sahadevan should reply within a week. The Devaswom Secretary should also submit an affidavit. The matter will be considered again next week. It was also directed that the files be kept in the safe custody of the court till then.

The bench assessed that it was clear from the files presented in the court that the board president had approved the application to install the idol. The application was approved on July 1 without waiting for the report of the Devaswom Commissioner. Further proceedings were stayed, pointing out that the board approved permission in a heedless manner.

The court also raised doubts over the relevance of yet another idol on the temple premises.