Thrissur, Tuesday, January 18, 2011: DGP Jacob Punnouse today informed that the investigation report on the Sabarimala stampede which claimed the lives of 102 pilgrims at Pulmedu in Vandiperiyar will be submitted in the Kerala High Court on Thursday. Speaking to the reporters here today, DGP opined that the police had got intimation from the High Court, seeking a report into the Pulmedu tragedy.

The Division bench of the Kerala High Court had on January 17th sought report on the Sabarimala tragedy that claimed the lives of 102 pilgrims from a stampede that occurred at Pulmedu in Vandiperiyar on January 14. High Court had also instructed the Police, Forest department and the Travancore Devaswom Board to conduct an enquiry into the stampede.

The HC severely criticized the State government and opined that the lack of coordination between the departments had led to the tragedy at Pulmedu. Crime Branch has started the investigation into the incident and would submit the initial report within four days.

Besides, the Crime Branch probe, Kerala government had also decided to hold a judicial inquiry into the mishap that occurred when over 100 people returning from the shrine were killed when a jeep went out of control and ploughed into devotees in a narrow forest stretch at Pullumedu in Idukki district, triggering a stampede.

Initial reports had stated that a minor accident involving a jeep and an auto rickshaw led to a commotion triggering the stampede.