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Appoints Former Judge to Oversee Sabarimala Head Priest Selection Process
In a move aimed at ensuring the utmost fairness and transparency in the selection of the chief priests for the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and Malikappuram Temple, the has appointed a former judge as an observer and issued a detailed set of directions governing the interview process.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K. V. Jayakumar was considering a proceeding initiated based on a report from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner. The report highlighted the need for strict adherence to the established guidelines for the selection of the Melsanthies (head priests) for the year 1202 ME (2026-2027).
A Process Steeped in Tradition and Litigation
The selection of the Melsanthies at these iconic temples has been the subject of legal scrutiny for years. In , a Division Bench of the High Court in held that the (TDB), being a 'State' under , cannot choose a Melsanthi without proper guidelines. The matter eventually reached the , which, in , disposed of the appeals in terms of a '' that laid down a detailed framework for the selection committee, the award of marks, and the final selection by a .
This year, the TDB received 78 applications — 48 for Sabarimala and 30 for Malikappuram. Following a vigilance enquiry, only five applicants for Sabarimala and three for Malikappuram were recommended for the interview, which is scheduled to be held on at the TDB headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.
New Directions for Impartiality
To prevent any irregularities and ensure that the process is conducted in a completely fair manner, the Court appointed Justice V.G. Arun , a former Judge of the , as an 'Observer'. He has been tasked with overseeing the entire interview proceedings and will also be present at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam during the final .
The Court issued several specific directives:
- Recording and Documentation: The entire interview process must be video-recorded.
- Marking Protocol: All entries in the mark sheets must be made only using a ballpoint pen . The mark sheets are to be countersigned by Justice Arun and kept in the safe custody of the TDB Commissioner.
- Sealed Submission: The Commissioner of TDB must produce the video recording (CD), mark lists, and the final shortlist before the Court in a , through the Standing Counsel for TDB, on or before .
- Post-Interview Scrutiny: The Observer and the Special Commissioner are directed to file separate reports with the Court after the interview. The can proceed only after the Court has perused these reports, the shortlist, and the video recording , and passes further orders.
- Customary Lot Drawing: In line with the settlement, the Court reiterated its direction to the Senior Raja of the Pandalam Royal Family to depute a male child (below ten years) for drawing the lot for Sabarimala and a female child (below ten years) for Malikappuram.
Upholding the Guarantee of Faith
The Court emphasized that all previous guidelines and directions issued in various orders since must be strictly followed by the Selection Committee. This includes the composition of the committee as per the settlement, where the TDB members award 30 marks for general knowledge and personality, while the Thazhamon Thanthris and the Outside Thanthri award up to 30 marks each for knowledge in Sanskrit, poojas, rites, and tantric rituals.
The judgment underscores that the entire exercise is not merely a public employment selection but one deeply intertwined with faith. As the Division Bench noted in a previous ruling ( ), the guarantee to pilgrims is that the selection process, carried through the terms of the settlement, will provide persons who will occupy the adorable status of Melsanthies. With these stringent oversight mechanisms in place, the Court has ensured that the seeds of faith are protected by the .
