Aravana: DIG asked to conduct probe

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, DEC. 5.

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Vigilance and Anti- Corruption), Thiruvananthapuram, to inquire into the whole matter relating to the alleged presence of rat tail in an aravana can and submit a report within two weeks.

The Bench comprising Mr. S. Sankarasubban and Ms. A. Lakshmikutty also made it clear that the Travancore Devaswom Board might also conduct its own inquiry into the issue.

The Bench issued the directions when the reports on the analysis of the contaminated aravana came up before the court. The Bench had initiated suo motu proceedings on the basis of a newspaper report.

It was submitted before the Bench that the Chief Food Inspector and the District Food Inspector concerned jointly inspected Appam and Aravana preparation units on November 25 and found they were clean and hygienic.The vazhipad articles kept at the store and godowns also were inspected. Since the godowns did not have any ventilation, windows and airholes, there was only rare chances of rodents and flies entering there. Wood panelling was done on the floor and walls of the godowns. Appam and Aravana preparations were supervised by two devaswom supervisors in addition to the Aravana preparation agency.

For the preparation of Aravana, each bag of jaggery was transferred to a tray and after visual examination, it was again transferred to the furnaces for making syrup. Then the jaggery syrup was filtered using double mesh filter. The rice used for Aravana preparation was also washed before transferring into the furnace after visual examination. There was no chance of occurring an incidence as reported by newspapers. As for packing, a high degree of hygiene and cleanliness was maintained. Besides, the fully automatic packing unit was totally airconditioned.

The court pointed out that it was clear from the report of the Director of Health Services that rat's tail was not present when the Aravana was prepared. Based on the Chief Government Analyst's report, the judges said that it could not be said that the rat's tail was present when the Aravana was being cooked or packed.

The Bench also observed that when a report like this was published, newspapers should take care and only after being satisfied about the truth, the item should be published. "We are saying this because the news item published has come as shock to the entire temple going public in the State and it has affected the morale of the staff at the Sabarimala temple." The pilgrims from and outside the State were also expressing apprehension in purchasing the prasadam. The results now showed that the rat's tail was not present at the time when the Aravana was cooked. No doubt, it was the duty of the Devaswom Board to see that Aravana and Appam were prepared in a very hygienic way, the court added.

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