Kerala HC Restricts Media Stay At Sabarimala Sannidhanam To Accredited Reporters With Identity Cards
The Kerala High Court ruled that only media reporters who are provided with identity cards by the Travancore Devaswom Board will be permitted to stay at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam during the upcoming Maasapoojas and Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season for 2024-25.
The Court was considering the regulation of media presence at the site in light of the security arrangements and the controlled access to the temple, especially since pilgrims must book slots through Virtual-Q or spot booking systems.
The Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S said, “Accordingly, the Board is 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 6th respondent Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police).”
The Court further added, “Subject to the availability of accommodation facilities at Pranavam Guest House and Darshan Complex, persons holding the identity card issued by the Board alone shall be accommodated in the allotted room, who has to act as the reporter of that print media or visual media. No other person shall be permitted to occupy the allotted room. Persons holding identity cards alone shall be permitted to remain at Sannidhanam, since the entry of pilgrims to Sabarimala is regulated by Virtual-Q booking and spot booking, against available slots.”
Specifically, for print media, this recommendation must come from a publication registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI), and for visual media, it must come from an organization holding a valid license with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Additionally, the recommendation for the issuance of identity cards must be provided by the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (CVSO), who is usually a senior officer, such as the Superintendent of Police.
The High Court emphasized that the entry of media personnel will be regulated strictly, given the security considerations surrounding Sabarimala, which is designated as a 'Special Security Zone' under Section 83(1) of the Kerala Police Act. The Court acknowledged that measures must be in place to ensure the safety of pilgrims, and as such, only those media persons holding identity cards issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board will be allowed to stay at the Sannidhanam.
Cause Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala & Ors., [2024:KER:85114]