State tells Kerala High Court that CCTV visuals do not support devotee's claim of police assault at Sabarimala

The Kerala government has refuted the allegation that a devotee in Sabarimala was assaulted by a police officer at Pathinettampadi (eighteen holy steps to the thirumuttam of the Sabarimala temple) last Sunday. .In response to the devotee's complaint, a Senior Government Pleader told the Kerala High Court that going by CCTV visuals of the area, no such incident occurred on January 7. .The Senior Government Pleader submitted that the Station House Officer at Sannidhanam examined CCTV footage at Pathinettampadi and that a preliminary inquiry suggested that no such incident occurred..He added that the Executive Magistrate at Sannidhanam is also currently conducting a comprehensive inquiry. A division bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and G Girish then proceeded to direct that the Executive Magistrate's report be placed before the Court by January 12..The order was passed in a suo motu case initiated in the wake of concerns that crowd control measures were not being properly implemented at Sabarimala leading to difficulties for the devotees and pilgrims. .The Court on Monday also took note of several other concerns raised by pilgrims. One pilgrim had informed via an email to the Court's Registry, that he had to wait thirteen hours for darshan and that pilgrims were being manhandled at the Pathinettampadi. He also alleged that the toilets at accommodation provided for pilgrims were in a bad condition and that basic amenities were lacking. The Court, in response, ordered the Duty Magistrates at Sannidhanam, Pamba and Nilakkal to conduct an inspection of the toilets and urinals and to ensure that such areas are kept clean and tidy. A report on the measures taken to ensure this is to be placed before the Court by January 11, the Court added. The Court also asked the concerned authorities to ensure that measures for crowd management is in place during the Makaravilakku festival (an annual festival held at Sabarimala) season..The State government, meanwhile, assured the Court that special measures were being taken to take care of children of tender age, persons with disabilities, women and aged persons, including provision of separate queues as called for by the High Court earlier..The matter concerning crowd control and provision of adequate facilities for pilgrims in Sabaramila is slated to be heard again today (January 9) by the Court. .[Read Order]