VIP treatment for actor Dileep at Sabarimala is serious; Devotees stopped to provide facilities to actor, says HC

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court said giving VIP treatment for actor Dileep during his visit to the Sabarimala temple is serious. The court also asked under what special consideration these people come. The court observed that other devotees were stopped to make arrangements for Dileep to have darshan.

The visuals were examined. From this, it is clear that other devotees faced difficulties. The court also observed that no officer has the right to allow such things.

The high court had earlier asked who gave permission to actor Dileep and his group to visit Sabarimala under police escort, causing hindrance to the devotees waiting in long queues. The devaswom bench comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and S Muralikrishna had warned that what privilege the actor had and that contempt of court action would have to be taken against the responsible officials.

Dileep and his group reached Sabarimala on Thursday night. The executive officer's preliminary investigation report said that Dileep offered darshan during Harivarasanam time. Dileep and his team, Alappuzha district judge K K Radhakrishnan and his companions, NORKA in-charge K P Anil Kumar and his companions were escorted to Sopanam by the police.

Dileep, judge K K Radhakrishnan and Anil Kumar were allowed darshan. Those accompanying them were redirected through the general queue. Sabarimala Devaswom administrative officer, assistant executive officer and sopanam special officer were there at that time.

Devotees who came through the back row were stopped. The court had earlier assessed that those who were in queue for hours, including children, the elderly and the disabled, were not able to have a proper darshan.

The Supreme Court has defined those with constitutional status who should be given special consideration for darshan. The court had also clarified that there is no such consideration for film stars.