BREAKING| News Report Claims Devotees Made To Wash Feet Of 12 Brahmins At Temple To Atone Sins : Kerala High Court Initiates Suo Motu Case

The Kerala High Court took suo motu cognisance of a news report alleging that in Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, Tripunithura, devotees were made to wash the feet of 12 brahmins for the atonement of their sins. 

A Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice P.G. Ajithkumar initiated the suo motu case today. 

The incident came to light after a Malayalam daily Kerala Kaumudi published a report on February 4 citing that such a practice was being followed at the temples as part of 'Panthrandu Namaskaram'.

When the matter was taken up today, Standing Counsel for Cochin Devawsom Board, under which the impugned temple operates, denied the claims. 

He clarified that it was the Thanrti and not the devotees who washed the feet of 12 brahmins as part of the rituals. 

The Court directed the Board to file an affidavit in the matter within two weeks and posted it to be taken up next on 25 February. 

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Ker) 69

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