Kochi: The Kerala High Court observed that despite its explicit directions banning it, the sale of synthetic kumkum to Sabarimala devotees continues unabated and declared that such activity cannot be allowed under any circumstances.

A bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar identified 'Ideal Enterprises' as the principal distributor, seemingly responsible and issued a notice to the firm.

Additionally, the court issued notice to Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Ltd, a laboratory accused of issuing certificates to various vendors selling kumkum supplied by Ideal Enterprises.

The court has asked both entities to submit responses ahead of the next hearing scheduled for December 5.

This order follows a report from Erumeli Grama Panchayat that synthetic kumkum sales are widespread in its jurisdiction, with distribution traceable to Ideal Enterprises, though the origin of ingredients remains uncertain.

The bench noted that ongoing sales appear to circumvent the court-imposed ban and emphasised that such sales are absolutely prohibited.

Separate orders dated November 7 and 12 explicitly forbid the manufacture, distribution, or sale of chemically manufactured or synthetic kumkum to devotees within Sannidhanam at Sabarimala and surrounding panchayats.

With inputs from PTI