High Court pulls up cops for delay in Sabarimala violence probe

Kochi: The High Court on Monday remarked that the delay in the investigation against the police officials responsible for violence at  Sabarimala should be considered as the incompetence of the force. The court also warned that if necessary other investigation agencies will be summoned to probe the matter.  The court  also directed the petitioners that peace and calm prevailing at present at  Sabarimala should not be vitiated.

The court made the observations while considering a petition in connection with the police damaging the two-wheelers of those who had  assembled at Nilakkal protesting against the entry of women of reproductive age during the Thula Masa pooja. The violence between the police and the Ayyappa devotees  resulted in injuries to many, including mediapersons.

The Devaswom Bench of the court  pointed out that months had passed since the violence and that  the lethargy in the completion of the investigation should be viewed as incompetence.  The counsel for the government  submitted that the probe was  progressing and that three police personnel involved in the incident had  been identified. The police personnel deployed belong to different battalions and it will take  time to identify them, the counsel submitted. The court then asked the government to submit a report within two weeks on the measures taken by it.           

The court  settled 10 petitions,  including the infrastructural woes and lack of basic facilities connected with Sabarimala on Monday.