The Kerala High Court on Monday sought the State government’s response to a plea filed by a transgender woman who alleged that she was denied permission to proceed to Sabarimala temple solely because of her gender identity.

A bench of Justice Gopinath P and Justice S Manu issued notice to the State and posted the matter for further hearing on September 3.

The petition was filed by Sathyashri Sharmila Rehemathali, who identifies as a transgender woman and claims to be a regular Sabarimala pilgrim. According to her plea, she reached Pamba on August 20 after observing the prescribed Vratham and carrying the Irumudi, intending to offer prayers at the Sabarimala temple.

However, at around 3:30 PM, she was stopped during a police inspection near the Pamba Ganapathi Temple. She alleged that police officials informed her that she would not be allowed to proceed uphill because she was transgender.

The plea states that officials at the Pamba Police Station told her that the Travancore Devaswom Board had directed the police not to permit transgender persons to proceed to Sabarimala. When Sharmila sought to see the alleged written order, circular or notification imposing the restriction, she was reportedly told that no such document could be shown to her.

Sharmila also pointed out that she had previously undertaken the pilgrimage and received darshan at Sabarimala on January 3 and April 15, 2026, without facing any such restriction.

Challenging the alleged denial as arbitrary and unconstitutional, the petitioner relied on Section 3(e) of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. The provision prohibits denial of or unfair treatment in access to public places and religious institutions on the ground of gender identity.

Among other reliefs, she has sought permission to undertake the pilgrimage and offer prayers at Sabarimala. She has also sought directions to the State government to disclose and publish any circular, order or notification that restricts transgender devotees from entering the temple.

The petitioner had specifically sought permission to visit Sabarimala on August 26, on the occasion of Thiruvonam, to fulfil an offering to the deity. However, the High Court did not pass any such interim order.

Sharmila is represented by advocates Padma Lakshmi and Aleena Dileepkumar, while Standing Counsel G Biju appeared for the Travancore Devaswom Board.