KOCHI: High Court has voluntarily filed a case based on the Kerala Kaumudi news that the Devaswom Board collected the full amount even though the devotees had directly donated the items required for Kalabhabhishekam at Sabarimala. The Sabarimala Special Commissioner has been directed to submit a report. High Court also sought an explanation from the Devaswom Board. A division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice G Girish will hear the petition again on 29.

38,400 is to be paid for Kalabhabhishekam. Those who buy sandalwood and grind it themselves need to pay only the Devaswom fee of Rs 12,500. Kerala Kaumudi had reported on November 22 that the full amount was being collected. A receipt of payment from a devotee on November 17 was also published. News was also given on November 23 that the Devaswom Board is not buying sandalwood from the Forest Department. Also, the Devaswom Board is not ready to reveal where the sandalwood for Kalabhabhishekam is procured from.

High Court took up the case on its own initiative based on these reports. The Chief Vigilance and Security Officer of the Devaswom Board was made a party by the High Court. The Devaswom Board's counsel and amicus curiae informed the High Court that the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer had conducted an investigation and submitted a report to the Sabarimala Special Commissioner regarding the incident of taking more money for Kalabhabhishekam on November 17. Following this, the High Court sought a report from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner.