Kerala High Court Issues Detailed Guidelines On Videography At Sabarimala Following Incidents Of Unauthorised Recording

The Kerala High Court has expanded restrictions on videography and photography within the Sabarimala temple complex, directing the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and police authorities to strictly enforce temple decorum and public safety.The order, issued by the Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S, comes in response to suo motu proceedings based on a Special Commissioner's report detailing serious breaches of court-imposed restrictions during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season. The court initiated proceedings after two key incidents raised alarm over the misuse of recording equipment in prohibited temple zones. One, where a temporary employee working at the Emergency Operating Centre at Sabarimala, was caught recording video during the Harivarasanam ritual using his mobile phone near the Sopanam, in violation to the temple regulations. The other incident was when multiple press cameramen were seen climbing on the railings of the Sopanam to capture visuals of the procession of Thanka Anki.The report submitted by the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala enclosed photographs which showed the installation of tripods by various media persons on the railings of Sopanam and in and around Thirumuttam and the Devaswom building near Melethirumuttam for live telecast of Makaravilaku festival. The Court noted that there is an order which prohibited the photography and videography above 'Pathinettampadi', by any agency, private or public. The counsels for the Travancore Devaswom Board and the Senior Government Pleader submitted that videography by media persons in Melethirumuttam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam and near Sanctum Sanctorum have been taking place for the last several years. The Court has directed the the Devaswom board to convene a joint meeting with Devaswom Commission and Chief Police Coordinator to frame fresh policy after consulting the Tantri, to take an appropriate decision on the videography in Melethirumuttam and Sanctum Sanctorum of Sabarimala Sannidhanam. It has directed the board to place the report of the Special Commissioner of Sabarimala before the Court. The Court prohibited the use of helicam at Sabarimala by media persons since Sabarimala and its vicinity comes under Special Security Zone under Section 82 (1) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011. It clarified that the restrictions are not applicable to surveillance by media persons. The installation of tripods on the railings on the Sopanam were also prohibited and it was noted that “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 court directed that only accredited media persons, recommended by the head of their Organisation, cleared by the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer may be issued identity cards by the Devaswom board, and their accommodation must be in accordance with the directions issued by the Court in an earlier order. Case Title - Suo Motu v State of KeralaCase No - SSCR 2/ 2025Citation - 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 443Counsel for Respondent - G Biju - SC Dewaswom Board, S Rajmohan - Sr GPAmicus Curiae - Sayuja RadhakrishnanClick Here To Read/ Download Order

Kerala High Court Issues Detailed Guidelines On Videography At Sabarimala Following Incidents Of Unauthorised Recording

Anamika MJ

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