Court directs TDB to file fresh report on stampede

A division Bench of Justices Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and P S Gopinathan gave the order after it studied the three reports — of TDB commissioner Vasu, Director-General of Police Jacob Punnose and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests T M Manoharan.

The judges had found after reading the three reports that there was no coordination between the three agencies at Pullumedu. They asked Devaswom special commissioner in Sabarimala Rajendran Nair to submit a revised report on what exactly caused the January 14 stampede.

The judges criticised the forest department for not mentioning the person who led the official team posted at the stampede site.

It also wanted to know who gave permission for the numerous shops at the site and  how many vehicles were parked on the day there. The case has been posted for February 11.