Kochi: The Kerala High Court has stressed that only officers with proven integrity and an unblemished service record should be appointed to the control rooms at Sannidhanam in Sabarimala. The direction came while the Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar examined a suo motu petition based on the Sabarimala Special Commissioner’s report concerning the recent change of Police Controller at the shrine.

The Court noted that the newly appointed Police Controller, Krishnakumar R, had crime and departmental proceedings pending against him. The findings emerged after the Bench sought details of his credentials, performance, character and service record from the Chief Police Co-ordinator, ADGP (Headquarters). The Bench had earlier raised concern that the former officer had held the same post for 22 years, observing that such prolonged tenure could result in institutional entrenchment, reduce transparency and affect impartial administration.

Following the Court’s directive, the Chief Police Co-ordinator conducted an enquiry and reported that Krishnakumar was an accused in a case registered by the CBI and was also facing internal disciplinary proceedings. He was subsequently removed from duty at Sabarimala. The enquiry further showed that no other officer currently posted at the Control Rooms in Sannidhanam and Pamba had served continuously for more than two years.

Taking note of the corrective steps, the Bench decided to close the proceedings. However, it issued firm instructions to the State Police Chief and the Chief Police Co-ordinator to ensure that future appointments to Sabarimala’s Control Rooms are made only after strict scrutiny. The Court emphasised the need for due diligence, high standards of verification and selection based on competence, integrity and the ability to perform duties with dedication and promptness.

The Bench stated that Sabarimala, being a highly sensitive pilgrimage centre with heavy footfall and complex security demands, requires officers capable of ensuring efficient and transparent functioning. It directed the authorities to maintain rigorous oversight over postings to uphold public confidence in the administration at Sannidhanam.