High Court issues direction to prevent misuse of rooms in Sabarimala

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court said that no one should be allowed to stay in Sabarimala's guest houses for more days than permitted. The Devoswom bench, comprising justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajithkumar, also ordered that no one should be staying unauthorized in the donor rooms.

The bench issued the order on a petition filed suo motu on the report submitted by the Special Commissioner stating that Palakkad native Sunil Kumar (Sunil Swami) stays in Sabarimala during Mandalakalam and monthly puja, and offers prayers in front of the Sreekovil on all days when the temple opens. The report also mentioned that Sunil enjoys these privileges in the name of bearing the expenses for maintaining the 'Goshala' and offering puja materials to the temple.

However, the court stated that special privileges cannot be granted to anyone in this name. Sunil Kumar clarified that he follows a path of sanyasa (asceticism) and is not receiving any special privileges. Nonetheless, the court made it clear that exemptions cannot be granted.

The court directed that details about booking donor rooms should be published on the virtual queue platform and the Devaswom website.