KOCHI: Kerala high court has asked the government why top police officers accused in criminal cases have been appointed in Sabarimala. Referring to IG Vijay Zakhare and SP Yatheesh Chandra, the court observed “what was the point in deploying police officers who do not know how to read and write Malayalam.”

The government told the court that Prohibitory orders were clamped at Sannidhanam based on the Intelligence reports. “Earlier also, there were protests when the temple opened. The orders were given after real devotees were blocked by the protesters,” Advocate General, representing the government, told the court.

The court was considering a batch of petitions, demanding revoking Section 144 in Sabarimala.

The court also asked the government to submit the details of two police officers appointed in Sabarimala.

In its interim order, the court asked the government not to prevent chanting of saranam and allow devotees to go alone or as groups to the temple.
But AG told the court that there was restriction on chanting of saranam and real devotees were returning peacefully after darshan.

The court asked the AG why restrictions were not removed from Sabarimala, despite its directions. The explanations in this regard should be submitted in the court on Friday.

The court also asked the government to submit documents and orders on the basis of which the Section 144 was declared in Sabarimala.

Did you check the side bag?

The court, meanwhile told the AG that it was aware of the circular of BJP, asking its workers to arrive in Sabarimala in organised manner. “But did the police probe this? You should also find out the contents of their side bags the party had asked its workers to carry with them,” the court directed the government.