India
The women approached the Supreme Court seeking round the clock security following life threats. A national group of Ayyappa devotees had requested not to consider their pleas
New Delhi: The Supreme Court directed the Kerala government to give 24x7 police protection for Bindu and Kanakadurga, the two women of menstruating age who trekked to Sabarimala and entered the temple on January 2.
The court passed the order while hearing the plea of the duo on Friday seeking 24X7 security. The two approached the apex court on January 17 seeking round the clock security following life threats.
A group of Ayyappa devotees had requested the court not to consider their pleas. As the Sabarimala pilgrimage will end in two days, they had requested not to consider their plea.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising appeared before a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi and requested an urgent hearing, saying it was a matter of life and liberty for the two women.
The plea sought a court direction to all authorities to allow women of all age groups to enter the temple without any obstacle and to ensure security and safe passage, including police security to women.
Earlier, on January 17, the advocates of the duo directly met the Gogoi and requested that the court consider their plea urgently.
Following that, the Chief Justice had instructed the apex court to consider the plea on January 18. The plea filed in the apex court had explained the protests staged against the two. The plea has also mentioned that the situation is such that the two cannot live in Kerala after trekking to Sabarimala.
The Kerala government informed the court that security is given to 51 women. The government produced the list of them with all the details. These 51 women had trekked to Sabarimala. Gogoi directed to continue giving security.
Meanwhile, Perinthalmanna Police have registered a case against Kanakadurga, who allegedly attacked her mother-in-law. Reports had stated that Kanakadurga, who reached her house on January 15 after Ayyappa darshan, was allegedly beaten up by her mother-in-law and was admitted to Perinthalmanna taluk hospital.
Now Kanakadurga's mother-in-law, Sumathi, has come forward and filed a case against her daughter-in-law claiming that Kanakadurga had attacked her.
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