Kochi: Kerala HIgh court on Monday directed the head of the Special Team of forest department, appointed to provide assistance to the devotees at Uppupara in Pulmedu, to give a detailed report by Feb 11 on the Jan 14 stampede that claimed the lives of 102 pilgrims.
A division bench comprising justice Thothathil B Radhakrishnan and justice P S Gopinath directed the forest official to produce documents showing the total number of vehicles permitted inside the Pulmedu area and precautionary
measures, if any taken while allowing the devotees inside the forest area after sunset.
The bench pointed out that there is no mention in the report of the Principal Chief Conservator of forest about the presence and management of 'Chain Point' while DGP Jacob Punnose's report says parking area was situated beyond the
'Chain Point'.
The forest official, filing the affidavit, has been directed to categorically state regarding the chain point and managing of chain and whether any particular official data is maintained in relation to the said activity.
The bench also indicated that it will be appropriate for the official to look into the report of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) filed earlier.
The court also directed the Special commissioner of Sabarimala to file a further elaborate report by Jan 28 regarding different aspects stated in the reports of TDB, DGP and Forest department.
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