JUDGMENT :

K.V. Jayakumar, J.

This DBP is registered suo motu on the basis of a complaint submitted by one T. Suganthi, dated 04.02.2022. In that complaint, she has narrated the difficulties faced by the physically challenged persons during their darshan in temples.

2. In her complaint, T. Suganthi narrated the difficulties she faced during her visit to the Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple at Thrissur on 01.02.2024. The temple authorities insisted that she leave her wheelchair at the outer entrance and informed her that wheelchairs are not permitted inside the Nalambalam of the temple.

3. T. Suganthi is a Chartered Accountant by profession and a physically challenged woman who is unable to move without a wheelchair, both her legs having limited mobility due to poliomyelitis.

4. The request made by her is to permit the use of wheelchairs within the Nalambalam of temples so that differently-abled devotees may have proper darshan. Taking note of the grievance, this Court, by order dated 27.03.2024, appointed Adv. V. Ramkumar Nambiar as Amicus Curiae to assist in the matter.

5. On 13.11.2024, the learned Amicus Curiae submitted an interim report incorporating various suggestions to ensure smooth d