Coast Guard Helicopter Over Sabarimala Temple Leads to Police Case
Pamba police have registered a case after an Indian Coast Guard helicopter was spotted flying above Sannidhanam at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple on Thursday. The case was registered under Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act, which pertains to knowingly committing any act that causes danger to public or failure in public safety. This offense can attract a penalty of Rs 10,000 and imprisonment for up to three years.
A senior officer from the Pamba police stated that the First Information Report (FIR) was based on a report filed by the police unit on guard duty at Sannidhanam. On Thursday, shortly after 12 noon, the Coast Guard helicopter flew low over Sannidhanam, and passengers allegedly took pictures using a mobile phone. The helicopter hovered for about 20 seconds near the Sannidhanam kopra kalam before flying away and later returning to capture more images from a low altitude.
There were four people on board the helicopter. Since the temple was closed at the time, only a few individuals, including security personnel, were present at Sannidhanam. The helicopter was identified as belonging to the Coast Guard when its images were captured on a mobile phone. The information was reported to Sabarimala Special Commissioner R Jayakrishnan, who then informed the court. Instructions were subsequently given to the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) to submit a report on the incident.
Coast Guard's Explanation
Meanwhile, Indian Coast Guard sources said that the Chetak helicopter, bearing registration CG 821, was on a routine training sortie from Kochi to a location 60-80 miles south. The chopper was flying at an altitude of 6,000 feet. At around 1:15 hours, due to high clouds and deteriorating weather in the area, the aircraft deviated from its intended track and ended up flying over the hills of Pamba. After the weather cleared, the aircraft returned to its base in Kochi, according to Coast Guard sources.
Legal Restrictions on Flying Over Sabarimala
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 restriction was issued in 2024. In December 2025, drones were flown with the High Court's permission for a ropeway survey. The current incident highlights the strict regulations in place to ensure security and public safety in the sensitive area.
