Case as Coast Guard chopper flies over Sabarimala shrine

Kottayam/Kochi: Pamba police registered a case after an Indian Coast Guard helicopter was spotted above Sannidhanam at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple on Thursday. Pamba police said that the case was registered under Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act. The section knowingly committing any act that causes danger to public or failure in public safety can attract a penalty of Rs 10,000 and imprisonment for up to three years. A senior officer with the Pamba police said that the FIR was registered based on a report filed by the police unit on guard duty at Sannidhanam. On Thursday, shortly after 12 noon, the Coast Guard's helicopter flew low over Sannidhanam and the passengers allegedly took pictures using a mobile phone. The helicopter hovered for 20 seconds near the Sannidhanam kopra kalam before flying away and returning to capture more images from a low altitude. There were four people on board the helicopter. Since the temple was closed, only a few people, including security personnel, were present at Sannidhanam. It was realised that the helicopter belonged to the Coast Guard when its images were captured on a mobile phone. The information was reported to Sabarimala special commissioner R Jayakrishnan. Once the commissioner informed the court, instructions were given to the ADGP to submit a report.Meanwhile, Indian Coast Guard sources said that the Chetak helicopter, CG 821, was on a routine training sortie from Kochi to 60-80 miles south. The chopper was flying at 6,000 feet. At about 1.15 hour, due to high clouds and deteriorating weather in the area, the aircraft deviated from the intended track and ended up flying over the hills of Pamba. Post clear weather, the aircraft returned to base at Kochi, ICG sources said. Flying drones or helicopters over the Sabarimala forest beyond Nilakkal, which is a high-security zone and part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, requires special permission from the high court. A court order regarding this was issued in 2024. In Dec 2025, drones were flown with the high court's permission for a ropeway survey.