Kochi: The Kerala High Court has authorities to keep beggars and lottery vendors from the premises of all temples in the southern Indian state.
Taking note of the growing menace of begging in and around various temples in the state, a two-judge division bench of the court said prohibition should be implemented strictly in all temples, including famous hill shrine of Sabarimala that draws millions throughout the year.
Beggars from neighboring states come in hordes during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season starting in November.
The bench, comprising Justice Thothathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice Anu Sivaraman, also directed revenue authorities, district collectors, executive magistrates and other officials to ensure compliance with the direction.
The court also banned sale of lottery tickets inside temple compounds and said any violation should be brought to the police’s notice, zeenews.india.com reported.
Meanwhile, in another proceedings before the same bench, the court found that drinking water quality of Pamba had shown very high concentration of coliform bateria upstream of Pamba, which is the drinking water source for Sabarimala and its surroundings.
Sewage discharge from toilets of guest houses at Sabarimala appears to be the reason for overflow from sewage collection tanks, the court held.
The bench also directed Travancore Devaswom Board and a high-powered committee to inform the action taken within two days.