Kerala High Court Orders Seizure of Records Over Suspected Irregularities in Sabarimala Padi Pooja Bookings
Court directs vigilance to secure booking records for transparency
Suspected misuse of ritual booking system sparks judicial intervention
By Our Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: February 26, 2026:
The Kerala High Court has taken serious note of alleged irregularities in the booking system for the Padi Pooja ritual at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple. The Court directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer to seize all relevant records and produce them before the bench in a sealed cover to ensure integrity and proper judicial scrutiny.
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The intervention comes after reports of unauthorized transfers of bookings, use of fake identities, and suspected malpractice in one of the temple’s most sought-after rituals. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s role in safeguarding transparency in religious institutions that handle large-scale public participation and financial transactions.
Background of the Case
- The Padi Pooja is a highly revered ritual at Sabarimala, attracting thousands of devotees each year.
- Allegations surfaced that bookings were being manipulated, with unauthorized transfers and fraudulent entries.
- Concerns were raised about the integrity of the booking system, prompting vigilance inquiries.
- The High Court bench, comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, ordered immediate seizure of records to prevent tampering.
Court’s Observations
- Judicial scrutiny essential: The Court emphasized that records must be produced in a sealed cover to maintain their integrity.
- Transparency in temple administration: Religious institutions must uphold fairness and accountability, especially in rituals involving public offerings.
- Prevent misuse: The vigilance probe aims to ensure that no devotee is deprived of participation due to malpractice.
- Public trust: The Court highlighted that faith-based institutions must maintain credibility by ensuring clean administration.
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Why This Judgment Matters
- For devotees: Ensures fairness in access to sacred rituals.
- For temple administration: Reinforces accountability and transparency in managing bookings.
- For governance: Demonstrates judicial oversight in protecting public faith and preventing exploitation.
Expert Views
Legal and social commentators have welcomed the ruling:
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- Temple law experts argue that the Court’s intervention is necessary to prevent commercialization and corruption in religious practices.
- Social activists emphasize that transparency in temple administration is vital to maintain public trust in faith institutions.
Broader Implications
- Strengthened vigilance: The ruling may lead to stricter monitoring of temple booking systems across Kerala.
- Precedent for other temples: Similar practices in other major temples may come under judicial scrutiny.
- Public confidence: Devotees are reassured that their rights to participate in rituals are protected.
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Conclusion
The Kerala High Court’s directive to seize records of Sabarimala Padi Pooja bookings marks a decisive step in ensuring transparency and accountability in temple administration. By ordering vigilance authorities to secure documents and scrutinize suspected irregularities, the Court has reinforced the principle that faith must be protected by fairness.
This ruling is expected to influence temple governance across Kerala, ensuring that sacred rituals remain free from malpractice and accessible to all devotees.
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