A shocking case of fraud has come to light ahead of the annual pilgrimage season in the famous pilgrimage site Lord Ayyappa temple Sabarimala, which has raised serious questions on the safety of devotees and public health arrangements. The Kerala High Court has taken a very strict stand on the issue of illegal and fake health cards being issued without any medical examination to the employees working in various commercial establishments, canteens and hotels located at Sannidhanam and Neelakkal in Sabarimala. Considering this a direct threat to the health of the pilgrims, the court has given strict instructions to the police to immediately file a formal criminal complaint and thoroughly investigate the entire syndicate. This important order was given by Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV of Kerala High Court. The bench headed by Justice Jayakumar passed the suo motu cognizance of the confidential and detailed report submitted by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner. The High Court clearly said that where lakhs of devotees from India and abroad come to see Lord Ayyappa after observing a strict fast, any kind of fraud or negligence in the health certificates of employees related to food, prasad and public facilities cannot be tolerated at all. After this revelation, there is panic in the entire temple area and administrative staff. Cards distributed on WhatsApp without medical and blood test, fraud done with 'Manju Mahima' number, the working of this fraud which has come to light in the report of the Special Commissioner, is extremely surprising. The District Medical Officer (DMO) of Pathanamthitta was informed by the Health Officer of Sannidhanam about several serious irregularities. Preliminary investigation found that health certificates were issued indiscriminately to employees posted at several commercial establishments in Sannidhanam and Neelakkal without any physical examination, blood test or screening for infectious diseases. The most shocking thing was that all these fake health cards were being distributed through the digital messaging platform WhatsApp. According to the investigating officers, prepared health cards of the employees were being sent directly from a suspicious mobile number saved in the name 'Manju Mahima'. There is strong suspicion that these documents contain forged signatures and seals of a registered medical practitioner. Issuance of certificates at such wholesale price without any clinical verification points to the existence of an organized gang, which was providing fake documents to the employees in exchange for money. Strict instructions to Travancore Devaswom Board, only certificates of government doctors will be valid. Taking strict cognizance of this entire issue, the division bench of the High Court has issued strict instructions to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to improve the system. The court has given a clear order to the Board that before hiring employees by any establishment, stall or service provider in the Sabarimala area, it should be ensured that they have valid health certificates issued by authorized medical authorities of the Government of Kerala only. Cards issued by any private, unverified or dubious agency will not be accepted. The court has also directed the special inspection teams of the health department to remain active. Flying squads of the Health Department have been ordered to conduct regular and surprise inspections of all the hotels, tea shops, eateries and Prasad manufacturing units in Sannidhanam, Pamba and Neelakkal. During this time, the medical records of each employee will be thoroughly examined on the spot to ensure that each person working is completely healthy and is following the rules 100 percent. Pathanamthitta SP given the responsibility of investigation, no compromise with public health and cleanliness Kerala High Court has ordered the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Pathanamthitta district to conduct a speedy and impartial investigation on the basis of the formal complaint lodged by the Health Inspector of Sannidhanam. The court has directed that the real faces active behind the WhatsApp number 'Manju Mahima', the suspects who have forged signatures and the establishment owners who are benefiting from this network should be identified and a case should be registered against them under strict sections of the Indian Justice Code and related laws. Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar's bench, in its order, underlined that Sabarimala attracts huge crowds during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage. In such a situation, it is mandatory for the people involved in catering and sanitation to be medically fit, otherwise the risk of spread of any infectious disease can prove fatal for the entire community. The court made it clear that protection of public health and hygiene is the top priority and any culprit violating this rule will not be spared.
