Kochi: The high court has appointed former HC judge Justice V G Arun as the observer to oversee the selection of melsanthis for the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and Malikappuram Temple for the upcoming pilgrimage season.
Justice V G Arun will oversee the interview scheduled for Oct 5 at the Travancore devaswom board (TDB) head office in Thiruvananthapuram and will also be present at Sabarimala during the draw of lots to select the melsanthis. The TDB must produce the CD of the proceedings, mark sheets and shortlist in a sealed cover by Oct 15. Of the 78 applications received, five candidates for Sabarimala and three for Malikappuram were recommended for interview after a vigilance inquiry.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi Stay updated with the latest Kochi news. A bench of Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar passed the order in a suo motu proceeding initiated based on a report submitted by the Sabarimala special commissioner. The TDB has been directed to arrange conveyance and accommodation for him. The court further directed that the mark sheets for the interview be filled in ballpoint pen, countersigned by the observer and kept in the safe custody of the TDB commissioner. The entire selection proceedings shall be recorded on video. The observer must file a report after the interview. The draw of lots may proceed only after the court peruses these documents. Download the TOI App.