The Kerala High Court on Thursday noted that cine actor Dileep's visit to Sabarimala temple on December 5 blocked other pilgrims' view of the deity for over 7 minutes [Suo Motu State of Kerala & Ors.].A Division Bench of Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna took a serious view of the matter after watching CCTV footage of the incident from multiple angles."We have seen that video. Very very very very serious. Pilgrims are virtually blocked. It is not a question of two minutes....That person (Dileep) is there in front... You can see that this guard is keeping his hand to block," Justice Anil K Narendran orally remarked while watching the video in open court today. Time stamps from the CCTV videos showing Dileep standing in the front row were recorded by the Bench in its order. "Movement of pilgrims through the first row in front of sopanam was blocked from the southern side by the devaswom guard on duty by 10:58:10 PM. The cine actor Dileep entered the front row of sopanam from the southern side by 10:58:24 PM and he remained there till 11:05:45 PM. As evident from the third video, the movement of pilgrims through the first row from the northern side was blocked by another devaswom guard at 10:51:38 PM. Till the cine actor left, none of the pilgrims standing in the first row were permitted to move towards the southern side of sopanam," the Court said in its order. Justice Narendran also remarked that such privileges are not even extended to those who are permitted VIP darshan."Even authorities who are permitted (VIP darshan) in view of the orders of the apex court would remain there for so much time, obstructing the darshan of others," he said. .The Court also directed the concerned police and Devaswom Board authorities to ensure that such incidents are not allowed to happen again."The Travancore Devaswom Board and the Chief Police Coordinator shall take necessary steps to ensure that such privileges to remain in front of sopanam for a considerably long period by blocking darshan of pilgrims is not extended to any pilgrim," the order stated. .Dileep's December 5 visit to Sabarimala was discussed a day later at the High Court after reports emerged that 'VIP' treatment given to the film actor had inconvenienced other pilgrims at the shrine.On December 6, the Court directed the TDB to submit CCTV footage of the actor's visit and sought detailed reports from relevant officers to clarify the allegations.At the time, the Court also warned the TDB that it would consider whether contempt of court proceedings should be initiated against individuals who obstruct the worship of pilgrims due to VIP treatment.The incident in focus occurred during Harivarasanam when Dileep and his companions occupied the front row near the Sopanam, disrupting the flow of devotees, including children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities..The Kerala police subsequently filed a statement denying extending any special treatment to Dileep. It maintained that the State police did not provide any extra assistance to the film actor, either from Pamba or any other places at the Sannidhanam.The statement added that it was one of the Devaswom guards who escorted Dileep to the administrative office from where he was taken to the Sopanam (sacred steps leading to the temple shrine) by Devaswom officials..After the Court viewed the CCTV footage today, the standing counsel for the Devaswom Board stated that it would get instructions on the matter and file reports by next Wednesday when the matter will be taken up next.
