Kerala announces judicial probe into Sabarimala stampede
By IANSTuesday, January 25, 2011
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - The Kerala government Tuesday announced a judicial inquiry into the Sabarimala stampede Jan 14. A Kerala High Court judge will look into the tragedy that left 102 pilgrims dead.
A cabinet meeting held here Tuesday cleared the demand for a judicial probe into the stampede which occurred shortly after what people believe is celestial light appeared on the horizon in and around the temple town of Sabarimala.
“We will bring to the attention of the chief justice the seriousness of the issue and we hope that we will get the service of a sitting judge to probe the tragedy,” said Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.
Already a division bench of the high court has taken up the issue and pulled up the departments of forests and devaswom (which looks after temple affairs) for contradictory reports on the tragedy.
The bench Monday asked the forests department to revise its report and also asked the special commissioner of Sabarimala temple to submit a fresh report on the tragedy.
