The Kerala High Court on Wednesday impleaded a Kumkum distributor and the agency certifying it as “naturally sourced” after finding that chemical Kumkum continues to be sold in Sabarimala despite an earlier ban.

A Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar, which is monitoring facilities at Sabarimala edathavalams through a suo motu petition, took up the issue based on reports from the Erumeli Panchayat.

The Court noted that, despite its clear direction to the Travancore Devaswom Board to prohibit the sale of chemical Kumkum to prevent environmental damage, the product was still being widely sold. Photographs of shops stocking the Kumkum were also placed before the Bench.

The Panchayat informed the Court that the Kumkum being sold was distributed by Ideal Enterprises, and vendors were producing certificates purportedly issued by Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Limited to claim the product was naturally sourced. However, authorities said it was not possible to verify whether the Kumkum was indeed natural.

The Court observed that attempts were being made to circumvent its ban and held that such violations “cannot be permitted under any circumstances.”

Suo motu, the Bench impleaded:

Ideal Enterprises, Kothamangalam

Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Limited, Ambalamedu

The Registry has been directed to issue notice to both parties through a special messenger. The matter will be heard next on December 5.