The Hindu, June 4, 2006

Decision on further inquiry to be taken at its meeting on July 7

KOCHI: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Monday informed a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court that the Board had instructed the Superintendent of Police, Vigilance and Security of the Board, to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the controversy over the alleged visit of Kannada actor Jayamala to the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala.

A decision on further inquiry would be taken at the Board's meeting on July 7. It also informed the Court that the expenses of the `devaprasnam' were met by the Board, except a portion of the `dakshina,' which was sponsored by devotees.

The Board filed the statement before the Court in response to a petition filed by Jayakumar and another person seeking a directive to conduct a fresh `devaprasnam' and a probe into Ms. Jayamala's alleged visit to the temple.

`Pariharakriya'

The TDB also said in the statement that the Board members had sworn in front of the sanctum sanctorum that `prayaschitha karmam' and `pariharakriya' would be performed without fail.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice V. K. Bali and Justice M. Ramachandran would take up the petition on Tuesday.