SABARIMALA: The Pandalam Palace has expressed its displeasure over an incident where police personnel posed for a group photo on 'Pathinettam Padi', the holy 18 steps of the Sabarimala temple. The Pandalam Palace Executive Committee Secretary, MRS Varma, expressed the palace's displeasure and disapproval regarding the incident where police officers posed for a group photo at the eighteenth step with their backs turned to the flagpole.

"The police have commendably served at Sabarimala over the past 10 days. However, necessary measures should be taken to prevent incidents like the recent group photo controversy. The sanctity of the Pathinettampadi must be preserved," MRS Varma said.

Earlier, the High Court had also slammed the police over the incident. Meanwhile, the Devaswom Board has expressed its displeasure to ADGP S Sreejith over the group photo incident.