VIP treatment to actor Dileep blocked other pilgrims' darshan at Sabarimala: Kerala HC
Kochi (PTI): The Kerala High Court on Thursday termed as "very very serious" the "VIP darshan" provided to actor Dileep at the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala recently and said that it resulted in pilgrims being "virtually blocked" from getting darshan of the deity for several minutes.
A bench of Justices Anil K Narendra and Muralee Krishna S said it was "not a question of two minutes" when the first two rows in front of the 'Sopanam' were "choked" for several minutes to allow the actor to get darshan.
"What is the privilege such persons are having?" the court asked and directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the Chief Police Coordinator to ensure such things do not happen in future.
The observations and direction of the bench came after perusing the CCTV footage of the incident which occurred on December 5 and the video was also shown in the open court.
"From the CCTV footage, we notice the movement of the pilgrims through the first row in front of the Sopanam was blocked from the southern side by the Devaswom guard on duty at around 10.58 pm. Film actor Dileep entered the first row of the Sopanam from the southern side by 10.58 pm and remained there till 11:05:45 pm.
"It is evident from the video, that movement of pilgrims in the first row from the northern side was blocked by another Devaswom guard by 10.51 pm," the court noted.
The TDB told the bench that it had already issued a show cause notice to the officers, including the two guards, responsible for regulating the movement of the pilgrims in front of the Sopanam.
The Board's response came after the court asked what action was taken in connection with the incident.
After considering the arguments, the bench said, "we deem it appropriate to direct the Travancore Devaswom Board and the Chief Police Coordinator to take necessary steps to ensure such privileges for remaining in front of the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam for a considerably long time by blocking darshan of pilgrims was not extended to any pilgrim."
The court directed the TDB and Chief Police Coordinator to ensure that "such things are not repeated at Sabarimala Sannidhanam" in future.
"The further course of action to be taken shall be decided after filing of the reports by the Chief Police Coordinator and the secretary of the Board," the bench said and listed the matter for hearing on Friday.
The court on last Friday slammed the police and TDB for providing "VIP darshan" to Dileep at the Lord Ayyappa shrine during the ongoing pilgrimage season, observing that it "hindered" darshan of many devotees who had stood in line for several hours.
It had directed that the CCTV footage of the same be submitted in the court.
The bench had said that the actor stood in the first row before the Sopanam throughout the 'Harivarasanam' (lullaby to Lord Ayyappa) till the close of the temple for the day.
The court took up the issue on its own based on news reports of the "special VIP darshan" given to Dileep at Sabarimala on December 5 during the ongoing annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage when there is a massive rush of devotees to the shrine each day from Kerala and its neighbouring states.
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Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
