Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday criticised Additional Director General of Police (Armed Forces Battalion) M R Ajith Kumar for allegedly using a Kerala Police tractor to travel along the Sabarimala Swami Ayyappan Road, in violation of a court order that had barred such use.

Meanwhile, the Pamba Police have registered a case against the man who drove the tractor under the Motor Vehicles Act. The case against the driver alleges that he drove the vehicle in a manner that endangered human life and unlawfully carried three people in the tractor after 9 pm. The police tractor, meant for transporting goods, was allegedly used for the trip. In clear violation of a directive from the Kerala High Court, a goods vehicle (tractor) was used to transport people illegally.

"The vehicle, bearing registration number KL-01-CN-3056, was used by the ADGP to travel to and from Sabarimala, posing a risk to public safety. The incident occurred on July 12, 2025, at 9.05 pm, when passengers were transported uphill, and again on July 13 at 1.40 am during the return journey," the FIR stated.

According to CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, the ADGP travelled by foot only in areas covered by surveillance cameras, while he used the tractor in stretches without coverage. The footage confirms the movement of the tractor with passengers during the restricted hours. Again, on July 13 at 1.40 am, he used the same tractor to return from the shrine.

In both instances, the vehicle was used in a manner that posed a risk to public safety, violating the High Court’s ban and endangering lives. Based on these findings, Pamba police registered a case under Sections 281 (rash driving on a public way) and 223 (disobedience of a public servant’s order) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Sections 66(1) read with 192A and 123 of the Motor Vehicles Act. The First Information Report (FIR) and related documents have been submitted to the High Court.

What the court said
A Division Bench of Justices Anil K. Narendran and Muralee Krishna S. on Wednesday expressed displeasure after a report by the Special Commissioner for Sabarimala revealed that the senior officer had used a tractor on July 12 and 13, possibly avoiding CCTV-monitored stretches. “This is very unfortunate because this was intentionally done, going by the report of the Special Commissioner... till the CCTV coverage is there, he was walking,” the court remarked orally.

In November 2021, the High Court had banned the use of tractors to transport people along the traditional forest trekking path to the Sabarimala temple, citing safety concerns. Tractors are only permitted for transporting goods along the route. The court was hearing a suo motu case initiated based on the Special Commissioner’s report, which also included a copy of the earlier court order prohibiting tractors from carrying passengers on the Swami Ayyappan Road. During the proceedings, the court recalled that the ban was originally imposed following reports of tractors operating recklessly and endangering pilgrims on the crowded path.

Senior Government Pleader submitted that the Director General of Police has sought an explanation from the ADGP regarding the incident. The Pamba Police have registered Crime No. 235/2025 against the officer under multiple provisions, including Sections 281 (rash driving) and 223 (disobedience to a public servant's order) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. The court granted time to the Government Pleader to file an affidavit from the Chief Police Coordinator detailing the incident. The matter will be taken up next on August 4.