Kerala HC Slams Devaswom Board for Giving VIP Privileges to Actor Dileep at Sabarimala
Kerala HC Criticizes TDB and Police Over Actor Dileep's VIP Darshan at Sabarimala
Court questions Special treatment, warns of potential contempt proceedings
The Kerala High Court on Friday strongly criticized the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the police after actor Dileep’s visit to Sabarimala allegedly disrupted pilgrims waiting in long queues for darshan. The court directed the TDB to ensure that VIP privileges do not obstruct devotees, particularly during the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
A division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishnan S issued the order after reviewing a report from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner. The report highlighted that Dileep’s visit on December 5 caused obstruction at the Ayyappa temple, affecting the movement of devotees.
"We direct the Travancore Devaswom Board to take necessary steps to prevent such incidents, ensuring that pilgrims, including children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, are not hindered from having proper darshan at the Sopanam of Sabarimala during the festival season,"* the bench stated.
The court also instructed the police to submit a report explaining how and why Dileep received special treatment.
The bench expressed strong disapproval, questioning how the actor was allowed to remain in the front row near the Sopanam throughout the *Harivarasanam* (the closing lullaby to Lord Ayyappa). The judges asked, "What privilege does he have? How was he permitted to stand there for so long? Did this not obstruct other devotees, including children and the elderly, who had waited in long queues for several hours? Many had to leave without having proper darshan. To whom should they complain?"
Emphasizing that only individuals holding constitutional positions are entitled to such preferential treatment as per judicial orders, including those from the Supreme Court, the court noted that Dileep’s VIP access violated these regulations.
"We will consider initiating contempt proceedings and may also include the actor as a respondent in the case," the bench warned.
The Special Commissioner informed the court that Dileep’s presence led to overcrowding and disruption of crowd management during the Nirmalyam ceremony. The report further noted that Alappuzha District Judge KK Radhakrishnan and Norka official KP Anil Kumar also accessed the shrine through VIP entry, accompanied by a large group.
The High Court took up the matter suo motu after media reports highlighted the special VIP darshan granted to Dileep, despite the heavy rush of pilgrims at the temple.
(With inputs from Live Law)
