Ensure safety of devotees: HC

The Kerala High Court today directed the state government to ensure the safety of devotees at the famous Lord Krishna temple at Guruvayoor.
The direction in this regard was issued by a division bench comprising Justice T R Ramachandran Nair and Justice K Abraham Mathew while considering a batch of petitions complaining about the high-handed behaviour of some of the employees of the temple towards devotees.
Television channels had recently aired visuals of some temple security staff roughing up a devotee and his mother at the Guruvayoor temple, drawing widespread criticism against the officials.
Meanwhile, the state government informed the court that following the complaint of assault on pilgrims the Devaswom Board chairman and a member were censured and disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the official who had assaulted a devotee.

Government also stated that it proposed to appoint an IAS official as administrator of the temple.
An enquiry commission by Justice M N Krishnan will be appointed to recommend reforms to the Devaswom adminstration.
For proper security of the temple, a Chief Security Officer will be appointed from police force substituting Devaswom employee.