Throwing clothes into water bodies near Sabarimala is an offence punishable with imprisonment

BE INFORMED : Throwing clothes into water bodies near Sabarimala is an offence punishable with imprisonment, the Kerala high court has said. The ruling is aimed at curbing the practice of pilgrims throwing their clothes into the Pamba river and other water bodies close to the pilgrimage site.

The court came down strongly on the practice, observing that it did not have basis in any religious ritual. The division bench headed by Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan also said that any individuals engaging in rituals that pollute the Pamba river should be punished and penalised according to the Water Act, which prescribes imprisonment ranging from one year to six years based on severity of the crime., the Kerala high court has said. The ruling is aimed at curbing the practice of pilgrims throwing their clothes into the Pamba river and other water bodies close to the pilgrimage site.

The court came down strongly on the practice, observing that it did not have basis in any religious ritual. The division bench headed by Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan also said that any individuals engaging in rituals that pollute the Pamba river should be punished and penalised according to the Water Act, which prescribes imprisonment ranging from one year to six years based on severity of the crime.