HC appoints Justice V G Arun as chief of Sabarimala panel

Kochi: High court has appointed Justice V G Arun, a former judge of the Kerala HC, as the chairman of the Sabarimala high power committee, following the vacancy caused by the demise of Justice S Siri Jagan. A bench of Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar issued the order based on a report submitted by the high power committee regarding the appointment of its new chairman. The report stated that the committee is presently unable to carry out its functions effectively due to the demise of Justice Siri Jagan on Jan 24, and that the appointment of a new chairman is urgently required to ensure its continued and uninterrupted functioning. While appointing Justice Arun as chairman, HC reiterated that the role is central to, and determinative of, the entire implementation process of the Sabarimala Master Plan. The chairman presides over all meetings of the committee and exercises overall supervision and control over its functioning, as well as the implementation of the Master Plan. He is also responsible for submitting periodic status reports to the court once every two months through the registrar general. Importantly, the chairman acts as a vital link between the court, state govt, and Travancore Devaswom Board, HC added.