SC issues notice to Kerala Govt in Sabrimala case

New Delhi, Jan 16 (UNI) The Supreme Court has issued notices to Kerala Government, Travancore Devaswom Board and the seniormost Thantri (priest) of Sabrimala Temple on a petition challenging the state high court order which held that the Pandalam royal family has only custodial right to keep Thiruvabharanan(sacred ornaments) of Lord Ayyappa at Pandalam palace.

A Bench comprising Justice H K Sema and Justice R V Ravindran yesterday issued notices on a petition filed by the Pandalam Raja and the Pandalam Palace Administration Committee.

Senior counsel R S Nariman and K Radhakrishnan appearing for the petitioner contended that the ownership of sacred ornaments was vested with the Pandalam palace and Pandalam Raja is the foster father of Lord Ayyappa.

They also contended that the findings of the astrologer were against the customs and usages of Sabrimala Temple and the Travancore Devaswom Board members have colluded with the astrologer to rewrite the history Sabrimala Temple with mala fide intentions.

It may be noted here that Sabrimala Temple has been at the centre of several controversies, including a ban on entry of women in the temple and its head priest also faced allegations of sexual assault on women devotees.

Later, the temple management agreed to lift the ban on entry of women. The entry of VIPs for worshipping was also banned by the high court on the grounds that it caused problems for common devotees.

Later, the the ban was relaxed and VIPs have been allowed conditional entry after the Supreme Court directions to the parties to sort out the controversy.

UNI