ORDER :

Anil K. Narendran, J.

This DBP is registered suo motu, based on a news item that appeared in Kerala Kaumudi daily dated 04.02.2022 that, as part of 'Panthrandu Namaskaram' in Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple at Thripunithura, under the management of Cochin Devaswom Board, the devotees are made to wash the feet of 12 brahmins as atonement for sins. The Registry was directed to issue a copy of the proceedings dated 04.02.2022 to the learned Senior Government Pleader, the learned Standing Counsel for Cochin Devaswom Board and also the learned Amicus Curiae for the learned Ombudsman. A copy of the news items appeared in Kerala Kaumudi Daily on 04.02.2022 was ordered to be enclosed along with the proceedings.

2. On 08.02.2022 when this DBP came up for consideration, the learned Standing Counsel for Cochin Devaswom Board, on instructions, submitted that in connection with 'Panthrandu Namaskaram' in Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple at Thripunithura, the devotees are not made to wash the feet of 12 brahmins as atonement for sins, as stated in the news report. It is the Thantri, who wash the feet of 12 poojaries of Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, in connection with 'Panthrandu Namaskaram'. The lear