The Kerala High Court has issued directions to ensure transparency in the selection process for the new Melsanthis (head priests) at the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha and Malikappuram temples. The court was considering a report filed by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner R. Jayakrishnan on the matter. 

The Division Bench of Justices V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar appointed retired High Court Judge Justice V.G. Arun as the observer for the interview process scheduled for October 5 at the Travancore Devaswom Board headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. He is entrusted with the supervision of the subsequent drawing of lots for the post, to be held at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam.

The court noted that a total of 48 applications were received for the post at Sabarimala and 30 at Malikappuram. After a Vigilance enquiry, five applications were recommended for interview at Sabarimala, and three for Malikappuram were recommended for interview.

The Melsanthis would be appointed for a tenure of one year from Vrischikam 1 to Thulam 31 next year (November 17, 2026 to November 16, 2027).