Introduction:

In a landmark ruling, the Kerala High Court has clarified the usage of donor rooms at Sabarimala, emphasizing that these facilities are intended solely for individual donors and their families. The Court addressed the misuse of donor passes, which had reportedly been sold to pilgrims by unauthorized individuals. This decision follows a suo motu case initiated by the Court based on a report from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner.

Arguments:

The argument against the misuse of donor rooms focused on protecting the sanctity and intended purpose of these facilities, which were established through individual donations. It was noted that many individuals and organizations were leveraging social media platforms to rent out donor rooms to pilgrims—a practice deemed illegal within the Special Security Zone of Sabarimala.

In defense of the donors, it was asserted that arrangements for donor room usage should be flexible enough to accommodate the needs of pilgrims during peak seasons. Some argued that donors, having made contributions, should have the autonomy to manage their allocated spaces as they see fit.

Court’s Judgment:

The Court ruled firmly against the unauthorized transfer of donor passes and the rental of donor rooms. It mandated that donor rooms associated with individual donors could only be occupied by the donors themselves or their family members, while those linked to trusts or organizations could be used by verified members. The Court also instructed the Travancore Devaswom Board to conduct regular inspections to prevent the exploitation of these facilities.

Moreover, the Court highlighted the critical shortage of accommodation for pilgrims during the festival season, urging the Board to maximize the utilization of available donor rooms for the benefit of all pilgrims. It was decreed that donor passes could not be transferred to third parties, and any commercial activities surrounding the donor rooms via social media were strictly prohibited.