The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)’s plea searching for permission to operate automobiles to ferry pilgrims to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. The prime court docket sought a response from the state authorities.
The apex court docket issued discover to the state authorities on a petition by the Kerala unit of VHP by which the outfit has challenged the April 13, 2023 order of the excessive court docket dismissing its petition. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan took up the matter.
Senior Advocate V Chitambaresh, showing for the VHP, stated the Hindu proper organisation was prepared to present free transport to the pilgrims as lots of them, together with the aged and kids, have to stroll a protracted distance to attain the temple.
He stated earlier the Kerala State Roadways buses had been supplied at a spot referred to as Pampa from the place a six kilometre trek to the shrine begins.
“People have to face a lot of difficulty as the KSRTC buses, which are not in very good condition, charge a very high fare from the pilgrims,” he submitted.
The bench requested the senior lawyer whether or not he was searching for a contract carriage allow or stage carriage allow (a motorized vehicle constructed or tailored to carry greater than six passengers excluding the driving force for rent or reward).
Chitambaresh replied he’s searching for permits for contract carriage (Motor Vehicle Act defines ‘contract carriage’ to imply a motorized vehicle which carries a passenger or passengers for rent or reward and is engaged underneath a contract).
“Lakhs and lakhs of devotees are coming there. They are waiting for over 28-30 hours in queues for the KSRTC buses which are not in good condition,” he stated.
(With PTI inputs)
