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Kerala HC slams Devaswom Board over Dileep’s VIP treatment at Sabarimala

The Kerala High Court on Friday came down heavily on the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the Kerala police for allegedly providing VIP darshan privileges for Malayalam actor Dileep at Sabarimala temple.

SNS | Kochi | December 6, 2024 8:51 pm

Kerala HC slams Devaswom Board over Dileep’s VIP treatment at Sabarimala

Kerala High Court; Image Source: Facebook

The Kerala High Court on Friday came down heavily on the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the Kerala police for allegedly providing VIP darshan privileges for Malayalam actor Dileep at Sabarimala temple.

A division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S stated that such incidents cannot be taken lightly. The court observed that Dileep and others had entered the Sannidhanam with a police escort. “How do individuals gain access to darshan with police protection? What is happening in Sabarimala?,” the court asked.

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The Bench reminded that Sabarimala is a special security zone. During the VIP visit, even elderly people and children waiting in long queues had to return without a proper darshan.

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“Who permitted Dileep and others to stand in front of the Sreekovil until the sacred Harivarasanam hymn was completed? What privilege do they have? How were they given special treatment, obstructing the darshan of other devotees?,” the court asked.

The remarks came while reviewing a report submitted by the Devaswom Executive Officer regarding VIP visits to the Sannidhanam during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival.

The report revealed that on the night of December 5, Dileep had darshan during the Harivarasanam time. The Sabarimala Devaswom Administrative Officer, Assistant Executive Officer, and Sopanam Special Officer were present at Sopanam during that time.

The initial investigation found that Dileep, Alappuzha District Judge K. K. Radhakrishnan, NORKA Roots in-charge K P Anilkumar, and their companions were escorted to the Sopanam by the police.

While Dileep, Judge Radhakrishnan, and Anilkumar were allowed darshan, their accompanying members were redirected through the general queue from the north.

The court further flayed Devaswom officials for extending similar special treatment to the district judge and the NORKA Roots officer. The court warned of initiating contempt proceedings against officials who grant special privileges to celebrities without adhering to crowd management guidelines

During the hearing, the government pleader informed the court that explanations had been sought from the officers responsible for the incident. The court directed the TDB to submit CCTV footage of the visit and a comprehensive report from the executive officer.

Notably, actor Dileep is the eighth accused in the 2017 actor abduction and sexual assault case.

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The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, granted bail to M K Nasar, one of the individuals convicted by the special NIA court last year in the case of chopping the hands of Professor T J Joseph in 2010. A division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice P V Balakrishnan suspended Nasar’s sentence and granted conditional bail to him after considering his appeal against the NIA court’s conviction in the case Considering the prolonged detention and citing the potential for trial delays, the court suspended Nasar’s sentence and granted conditional bail, taking into account that some co-accused with similar allegations had already been released after serving shorter terms. The court noted that he had already spent nine years in jail and that delays in resolving appeals could justify suspending a convict’s prison term. It also observed that other accused in the case had received lesser sentences and had already been released after serving their terms. “The applicant has been undergoing incarceration, at the pre-conviction and post-conviction phases, for over 9 years. Furthermore, the fact that the accused facing the same allegations were earlier imposed a lesser term of imprisonment and have been released after having undergone the sentence is a factor that cannot be ignored. Additionally, the appeals filed by the NIA against the findings of the learned Sessions Judge are being considered in separate appeals, which have not yet been taken up. “There is also the likelihood of delay, as the prime accused has surrendered, and the learned Sessions Judge may have to take up the trial and dispose of it in accordance with the law and some of the original records may be required for that purpose. In view of these facts and circumstances, we are of the considered opinion that the sentence imposed on the applicant can be suspended pending the consideration of the appeal.” The court said The court, however, imposed strict conditions for Nasar’s bail. He is not supposed to provide a bond of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties, refrain from leaving the country without the court’s permission, avoid interfering with the trial or witnesses, and not commit similar offences while on bail The gruesome incident dates back to July 4, 2010, when Joseph, a professor at Newman College, Thodupuzha, was returning from Sunday mass with his family, members of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) attacked him, allegedly in retaliation for a question paper he set, which contained a passage that they claimed insulted Prophet Mohammed was derogatory. His right hand was chopped off in this attack. Nasar was accused of playing a critical role in the attack. Investigations revealed his involvement in recruiting gang members, assigning specific tasks, collecting funds, procuring communication devices, and maintaining communication links with key conspirators.

The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, granted bail to M K Nasar, one of the individuals convicted by the special NIA court last year in the case of chopping the hands of Professor T J Joseph in 2010.