- Controversial actor Dileep gets a VIP visit at Sabarimala.
- The High Court is angry with the common devotees facing severe difficulties.
Kerala High Court: Controversial Malayalam actor Dileep Sabarimala Darshan, accused in the 2017 actress sexual assault case, is controversial. The Kerala High Court has expressed outrage over the ‘VIP’ treatment given to actor Dileep by the Travancore Devaswam Board (TDB) and the state police during his visit to Sabarimala. How many ordinary devotees were waiting during the VIP darshan? How should Dileep, including police escorts, be allowed special entry, the court asked on Friday.
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“How do you get darshan with a police escort..? The High Court commented that whether the VIP darshan will interfere with the darshan of other devotees in the queue… Children and women are waiting for hours in the queues. The court ordered the TDB to take immediate steps to prevent such incidents from hindering the darshan of pilgrims, especially children, senior citizens and the disabled. It directed the officials to submit the report by Monday and submit the CCTV footage of Sannidhanam area for review.
The court issued the order following a special commissioner’s report that Dileep’s visit had disrupted pilgrim traffic at Sabarimala. The court warned that contempt of court proceedings would be initiated if celebrities continued to be given priority during the busy Mandal Makaravilakku festival season. It said that all devotees should be treated equally irrespective of their status and should be given darshan through a virtual queue system through the same process. Responding to the court’s criticism, TDB President PS Prashanth said that the Vigilance SP is investigating the matter. Action will be taken against whoever is involved in Dileep’s case.