The Kerala High Court has recently asked the Travancore Devaswom Board to take a decision on videography in Melethirumuttam and also near the Sanctum Sanctorum of Sabarimala Sannidhanam. The High Court has also made it clear that Sabarimala and its vicinity, being Special Security Zones under the Kerala Police Act, 2011, the use of helicam at Sabarimala by media persons shall not be permitted.

The High Court took note of the submissions that videography by media persons has been taking place for the last several years in Melethirumuttam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam, and also near the Sanctum Sanctorum.

The Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran & Justice Muralee Krishna S. held, “Since Sabarimala and its vicinity being Special Security Zone under Section 83(1) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011, vide notification issued by the State Government, in order to exercise the powers under Section 83(2) of the said Act, the use of helicam at Sabarimala by media persons shall not be permitted. This restriction shall not be applicable to surveillance by the Police, with the help of helicam, as part of crowd management at Sabarimala.”

Standing Counsel G.Biju represented the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Factual Background

The case revolved around a report filed by the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, regarding videography by a temporary employee using a mobile phone at Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam during Harivaraasanam. In the said report, it is also stated that, when the procession of Thanka Anki reached the Sanctum Sanctorum, cameramen of the press standing on the northern side of Sopanam climbed on the rail at Sopanam and recorded video and took photos. The Special Commissioner had pointed out the directions issued by the Court prohibiting photography and videography above ‘Pathinettampadi’.

When the case came up for consideration, the Court directed the Travancore Devaswom Board through the Executive Officer, Sabarimala and the Chief Police Co-ordinator, Sabarimala, through the Special Police Officer, Sannidhanam, to take immediate steps to remove the tripods tied on the pillars and railing of the Sopanam enclosure of Sabarimala Sannidhanam. Instructions had also been given to the police personnel on duty at Mele Thirumuttam to discourage the public from taking photographs in and around temple premises.

Reasoning

The Bench noted that considering the fact that Sabarimala and its vicinity have been declared as Special Security Zone, it was ordered vide an earlier order that the use of helicam at Sabarimala by media persons shall not be permitted. It was further noticed that in an earlier order, the Travancore Devaswom Board was directed to issue identity cards for media persons on a written recommendation by the Head of a print media having registration with Registrar of Newspapers of India or Visual Media having licence with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, based on the recommendation of the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police).

The Bench further noticed the submission of the Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board and also the Senior Government Pleader that videography by media persons has been taking place for the last several years, in Melethirumuttam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam and also near the Sanctum Sanctorum.

The Bench took note of the photographs showing installation of tripods by various media persons on the railings on the northern side of the Sopanam enclosure of Sabarimala Sannidhanam and also the photographs regarding installation of equipment by media persons in and around Sopanam, Thirumuttam and Devaswom office building near Melethirumuttam for live telecast of Makaravilakku festival.

The Bench thus disposed of the matter by issuing the following directions:

  • The Travancore Devaswom Board is directed to take an appropriate decision on videography in Melethirumuttam and also near the Sanctum Sanctorum of Sabarimala Sannidhanam, after considering the opinion of the Tantri of Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple. After obtaining the opinion of the Tantri, the Board shall convene a joint meeting of the Devaswom Commissioner and also the Chief Police Coordinator [Additional Director General of Police (Police Headquarters)], Sabarimala. The decision taken by the Board shall be placed before the Division Bench dealing with Devaswom matters, along with a report of the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala.
  • Since Sabarimala and its vicinity are Special Security Zone under Section 83(1) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011, the use of helicam at Sabarimala by media persons shall not be permitted. This restriction shall not be applicable to surveillance by the Police, with the help of helicam, as part of crowd management at Sabarimala.
  • The installation of tripods on the railings on the Sopanam enclosure of Sabarimala Sannidhanam shall not be permitted. The installation of equipment by the media persons for ‘live telecast’ of Makarajyothi darshan shall be only at identified locations, with the prior permission of the Travancore Devaswom Board, with the approval of the Chief Police Coordinator [Additional Director General of Police (Police Headquarters)], Sabarimala.
  • The officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board and also the police shall take necessary steps to ensure that videography in the permitted areas at Sabarimala is not causing any inconvenience whatsoever to the pilgrims.
  • The issuance of identity cards to media persons & the stay of media persons at Sabarimala shall be strictly in accordance with the directions contained in the order of this Court in SSCR No.80 of 2024 & SSCR No.19 of 2024.

Cause Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala (Neutral Citation: 2025:KER:42081)

Appearance

Respondent: Senior Government Pleader S. Rajmohan, Standing Counsel G. Biju, Amicus Curiae Sayujya Radhakrishnan

Click here to read/download Order



Kerala High CourtJustice Anil K NarendranJustice Muralee Krishna S.

Tulip Kanth

Assistant Editor

Tulip Kanth is an Assistant Editor at Verdictum having over 5 years of experience in the field of legal journalism and editing. She extensively covers judgments of the Supreme Court, High Courts as well as Tribunals. She has previously worked with a legal publishing website where she oversaw the work of other editors and has also created updates on notifications of different Government Ministries. She holds an English Honours Degree from SGTB Khalsa College, Delhi University and has completed her LLB course with specialisation in Corporate Law from Amity University.