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The Kerala High Court has initiated a suo motu case in light of news reports in a Malayalam daily ‘Kerala Kaumudi’ stating that devotees were made to wash feet of 12 Brahmins for ‘atonement of sins’ at Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, Tripunithura.

A bench of Justices Anil K. Narendran and PG Ajithkumar initiated the suo motu case yesterday after referring to a news item that appeared in Kerala Kaumudi daily on February 4, 2022, in which it is stated that, as part of 'Panthrandu Namaskaram' in Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, Tripunithura under the management of Cochin Devaswom Board, the devotees are made to wash the feet of 12 brahmins as atonement for sins.

The Standing Counsel for Cochin Devaswom Board submitted that in connection with 'Panthrandu Namaskaram' in Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, the devotees were not made to wash the feet of brahmins.

"It is the 'Thantri', who wash the feet of 12 poojaries of Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, in connection with 'Panthrandu Namaskaram'...", he added.

The bench then went on to grant two weeks time to file affidavit on behalf of the Cochin Devaswom Board.

The matter will now be taken up on February 25.

Cause Title: Suo Motu vs State of Kerala and Ors