THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has filed a plea in the Supreme Court challenging high court’s order to increase the number of daily devotees to 5000 in Sabarimala. The state has mentioned in the plea that the order was passed without considering the factual figures.

The high level panel presided over by the chief minister had taken a decision to allow darshan to 2000 people on weekdays and 3000 on weekends. The high court had quashed this decision.

The Travancore Devaswom Board Employees Front has filed a plea in the high court alleging non-compliance of the order allowing 5,000 to enter Sabarimala every day. Following this, the Kerala Police had started registration for 5,000 people to enter Sabarimala. The state approached the Supreme Court following that.

The genetically modified virus is spreading rapidly in countries including the UK. COVID-19 has not been completely eradicated and so the concern is not yet over. The state alleged that the high court did not consider this situation. Attempts have been made by the state government advocates to consider the plea urgently.

Chief secretary, state police chief, health, revenue and devaswom departments have approached the apex court. The virus was confirmed on more than 250 people including police in Sabarimala. The plea has mentioned that of these are devaswom board employees and devotees.