Kerala High Court Sets Rules for Safe Cane Chair Services for Pilgrims at Sabarimala, Ensuring the Fitness of Dollies and Preventing Misuse.
The Kerala High Court has given several instructions to ensure safe dolly services for pilgrims at the Sabarimala Temple. This includes checking the fitness of the dollies and preventing exploitation. The Court was looking into a matter based on a report from the Special Commissioner about an incident during Maasapooja. Justices Anil K. Narendran and P.G. Ajithkumar stated that after reviewing the documents and hearing arguments, they decided to address this issue. They directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to make sure the dollies used for transporting pilgrims are fit for use.
The report details an incident on July 15, 2024, at 3:30 p.m., when a pilgrim fell from a dolly and got injured near the Nadapanthal at Sannidhanam. He was taken to the Government Hospital for first aid and then moved to Pamba in an ambulance. Later, he was transferred to Kochi for further treatment. The Court also instructed the Secretary of the Travancore Devaswom Board to submit an affidavit outlining the procedures for registering dolly workers, issuing identity cards, providing fitness certificates for the dollies, and any steps taken to prevent workers from overcharging pilgrims.
In August of this year, when the report was reviewed, the Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board stated that a meeting was held to improve the dolly service at Sabarimala. They decided to allow the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police) to propose a pre-paid payment system for dolly charges, including registration, QR code, and RFID scanning. The Court then instructed the Executive Engineer to inspect the dollies with help from the additional Assistant Engineer and to provide a preliminary report. The Court also discussed the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act of 1950, which outlines the management and oversight of Devaswoms and other Hindu religious funds, emphasizing the board’s responsibilities.
The Court noted that, according to the Chief Police Coordinator, the use of poorly maintained dollies by workers is causing issues. To prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of pilgrims using the dolly service, the Engineer in the Maramath Wing of the Board must check the dollies before each Maasapoojas and Mandala Makaravilakku Seasons and issue fitness certificates. Additionally, the Board should ensure that dolly carriers have physical fitness certificates for the safety of pilgrims. The Court stated that the lifespan of each dolly at Sabarimala should be determined, and any dolly that reaches the end of its lifespan must be destroyed.
The Court reviewed the documents and arguments presented and then gave clear instructions. These included checking the safety of the dollies used to transport pilgrims on the trekking path before each Maasapooja and Mandala-Makaravilakku festival. They also aimed to stop any mistreatment of the pilgrims by the dolly workers.
Cause Title: Suo-Moto vs. State of Kerala (2024:KER:74285)
