The Kerala High Court has issued sweeping directions to ensure fairness, transparency, and strict adherence to prescribed guidelines in the selection process of Melsanthies (Chief Priests) for the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and Malikappuram Temple for the year 1201 M.E. (2025-26). Acting on a suo motu petition flagged by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner, the Bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K. V. Jayakumar reaffirmed that the process must comply with guidelines laid out in previous Supreme Court and High Court orders.
According to court records, 119 applications were received, and after a vigilance inquiry, 53 were shortlisted for Sabarimala and 36 for Malikappuram. The interviews are scheduled for October 3 and 4, 2025, at the Travancore Devaswom Board office, Thiruvananthapuram. The Court reiterated that the selection committee, procedures, and marking system must follow the terms of settlement recorded by the Supreme Court in 2011, emphasizing the division of marks between the Board’s office-bearers and eminent Tantris (priests), followed by a final draw of lots.
Further tightening oversight, the Court has appointed former judge Justice T.R. Ramachandran Nair as Observer to oversee the entire proceedings, including the draw of lots. The court also mandated full videography of the interview process, careful custody of mark sheets counter-signed by the Observer, and swift submission of reports to the Bench. Explicit directions were issued to the Travancore Devaswom Board regarding the custody and presentation of the selection-related documentation, and to the Pandalam Royal Family to provide child representatives for the ceremonial draw, upholding centuries-old traditions.