Virtual booking over, only spot booking left; checks tightened: No entry to Sabarimala without booking 

SABARIMALA: The police have tightened the inspection of virtual queue and spot booking passes in Sabarimala as per the High Court's directive. Those who arrived at Pampa on Friday without passes were sent back to Nilakkal and allowed to climb the hill only after obtaining spot booking passes.

More than one lakh people had climbed the hill the other day when only eighty thousand people, including virtual booking and spot booking, should have been allowed to enter. The High Court had asked the police and the Devaswom Board how this happened. It was also directed to check for fake passes. The High Court also warned that the Devaswom Board and the police will be solely responsible if any disaster occurs. Following this, ADGP S Sreejith gave strict instructions to the police to allow only those with passes to pass.

Some of those who came in groups were allowed to go in groups even though they did not have passes. Some came with recommendations from higher-ups. The directive is that no such consideration should be given.

Virtual queue bookings until Mandala Puja are completely booked out. Spot bookings are currently set at 5,000 per day, but will be increased to 20,000 as the rush decreases.