JUDGMENT

Anil K. Narendran, J.

The petitioner, who is the Kuthaka holder in respect of Kuthaka item 196 in the list of Kuthaka items, which forms part of the e-tender notification issued by the 5th respondent Executive Officer, Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season of 1199 ME (2023-2024) from 11.11.2023 till 31.10.2024, has filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a declaration that persons (Kuthaka holders) permitted by the Travancore Devaswom Board, with the licence issued by the 10th respondent Ranni-Perunadu Grama Panchayat alone are entitled to sell any articles including food items in Nilakkal in Pathanamthitta District. The petitioner has also sought for a writ of mandamus commanding the respondents to take necessary steps to ensure that there is no sale of articles in Nilakkal except by persons (Kuthaka holders) having permission from the Travancore Devaswom Board; a writ of mandamus commanding respondents 2 to 5 to take necessary steps to ensure that there is no sale of articles including food items to Sabarimala pilgrims in Nilakkal, in violation of the terms and conditions of the e-tender notification issued by t