4 transgenders offer prayers at Sabarimala temple
Sabarimala, Dec 18 : Four transgenders, who were earlier stopped from proceeding towards the Lord Ayyappa temple, Tuesday offered prayers at the hill shrine under a heavy police security cover.
Ananya, Trupti, Renjumol and Avanthika, clad in traditional black sarees and carrying the customary "Irrumudikettu"(sacred offerings to the deity), were escorted by police from Nilackal to Pamba and during the trek to the shrine.
They said they were extremely happy to have got the opportunity to offer prayers at the temple and that this was their life's mission which had been realised.
They had met DGP A Hemachandran, a member of the Kerala High Court-appointed supervisory panel, and Inspector General of Police Manoj Abraham here Monday after which they were allowed to proceed.
The police had earlier turned them away, saying that they had to get some legal clarity on the issue.
The state had witnessed massive protests by devotees opposing the entry of girls and women in 10-50 age group into the Sabarimala temple since the Kerala government decided to implement a Supreme Court order, permitting women of all age groups into the shrine.
Over a dozen women have so far made unsuccessful attempts to trek the holy hills.
The high court had earlier this month appointed the three-member committee, vesting them with powers to oversee law and order and other problems faced by pilgrims during the ongoing annual season.
Meanwhile, the shrine witnessed a big crowd of pilgrims Tuesday.
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SC transfers RG Kar Medical College trainee doctor rape-murder case to Calcutta HC
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday transferred the RG Kar Medical College trainee doctor rape and murder case to the Calcutta High Court.
The top court had taken suo motu cognisance of the case in 2024.
A bench of justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma directed that the case papers be sent to the high court.
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The top court also directed that a copy of the status report be given to the parents of the victim.
The body of the postgraduate trainee doctor was found in the hospital's seminar room on August 9 last year. The Kolkata Police arrested Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, the next day.
On January 20, a Kolkata trial court awarded convict Roy "life term imprisonment till death" in the case. The crime triggered nationwide outrage and prolonged protests in West Bengal.
The apex court, even after the primary conviction, is monitoring multiple ancillary issues, including regularising the unauthorised absence of doctors.
While taking suo motu notice of the case, the bench constituted a National Task Force (NTF) on August 20 last year to formulate a protocol to ensure the safety and security of medical professionals in the wake of the crime.
