The Kerala High Court has appointed former High Court judge Justice V.G. Arun as an Observer to oversee the selection of Melsanthis for the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and Malikappuram Temple for 2026-27, directing that the interview proceedings be video-recorded to ensure fairness and transparency.
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar passed the order. The proceedings concern the steps required to ensure fairness, transparency and adherence to the prescribed guidelines in the selection process.
The Court recalled that the selection process had earlier been considered by the Supreme Court, which disposed of the matter in 2011 in terms of a settlement governing the composition of the Selection Committee, the interview process and the subsequent draw of lots. Under the settlement, the Committee is required to assess candidates on general knowledge, personality, Sanskrit, poojas, rites, Tantric rituals and other religious matters.
The High Court also referred to its earlier decision in Mohandas Embranthiri v. Travancore Devaswom Board, where it held that the Board, being a State under Article 12, could not select a Melsanthi without prescribed guidelines. The Court noted that the purpose of the interview is to identify the best candidates for appointment.
For the 2026-27 selection, 78 applications were received, 48 for Sabarimala and 30 for Malikappuram. Following vigilance enquiry, five candidates were recommended for interview for Sabarimala and three for Malikappuram. The interviews are scheduled for October 5 at 11 am at the Travancore Devaswom Board headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Bench directed the Selection Committee to strictly follow the guidelines and directions issued in earlier proceedings concerning the selection of Melsanthis.
The Court’s decision to appoint an Observer was also linked to an earlier Observer’s report from the 2019-20 selection, which had noted a wide difference in the marks awarded by the three Thantries. The Court said the purpose of the Observer was to ensure that no particular candidate was given an advantage through excessive marks.
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“The suggestion is made with a bona fide intention to ensure that an upper hand is not actually given to any particular candidate by anyone by granting excessive marks.”
Accordingly, Justice V.G. Arun has been appointed to oversee the proceedings and remain present at Sabarimala during the draw of lots. The Board has been directed to arrange his conveyance and accommodation.
The Court further directed that the mark sheets be prepared only using a ballpoint pen, countersigned by the Observer and kept in the safe custody of the Devaswom Commissioner. The entire October 5 selection proceedings are to be video-recorded.
After the interview, the Observer is required to submit a report to the Court. The Special Commissioner must also file a report, which will be listed before the Bench on the next working day. The Devaswom Board has been directed to produce the video recording, mark lists and shortlist in a sealed cover by October 15. The draw of lots may proceed thereafter, subject to further orders of the Court
