An Indian Coast Guard helicopter was seen flying low and close over Kerala’s Lord Sabarimala Ayyappa temple on Friday, prompting police to register a case. A case has been filed following the incident, according to reports.
The case was filed by the Pampa police under Section 118 (e) of the Kerala Police Act (knowingly does any act which causes danger to the public or failure in public safety) without naming anyone as accused. This came as the Sabarimala Special Commissioner ordered an inquiry into the incident, considering the sensitive security nature of the shrine visited by lakhs of devotees every year.
An Indian coast Guard Chetak Helicopter is seen flying meters above the Sabarimala hilltop temple in Kerala. Chopper is seen slowly overlying the temple, following which it speeds away. Incident has sparked concerns.
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) April 24, 2026
Coast Guard says "chopper deviated due to adverse weather" pic.twitter.com/NGQzSZgX0Q
The ICG chopper CG 821 flew low and close to the Sabarimala Sannidhanam, which has been notified by the state government as a Special Security Zone, without permission, affecting public safety and posing possible risks to structures, the FIR read, adding that the helicopter made four low passes near the Lord Ayyappa temple in the afternoon.
However, a statement issued by the ICG said the chopper was on a routine training sortie from Kochi to an area 60–80 nautical miles south and was flying at around 6,000 feet. “At about 1.15 pm, due to high clouds and deteriorating weather in the area, the aircraft deviated from the intended track and ended up flying over the hills of Pamba,” the statement said. Once the weather improved, the helicopter returned safely to its base in Kochi, the statement added.
