Thiruvananthapuram, July 15 (IANS) A Kerala court Friday asked Kannada actress Jaimala to appear before it on Sep 18 in connection with a case against her for allegedly violating religious sentiments at the famed Hindu temple at Sabarimala.

The Ranni chief judicial magistrate issued summons to Jaimala, astrologer P. Unnikrishna and his assistant Reghupathy.

In December last year, Kerala Crime Branch inquired into controversial revelations by Jaimala that she had touched the Sabarimala deity in 1987, violating temple tradition.

The disclosure, made in 2006, created a furore because traditions of the temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa dictates that women who have attained puberty but have not reached menopause are barred from entry.

Following this controversy, the state government appointed a Crime Branch team to probe the issue.

The chargesheet states that the accused were involved in a deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings under section 295 of Indian Penal Code.

Sabarimala temple, situated on a hill-top in the Western Ghats, is a famous pilgrim centre and is accessible only by foot.