The Kerala High Court orders TDB to provide documentation regarding the removal of gold-plated coverings from the "Dwarapalaka" idols of the Sabarimala temple.
The court states that there are unresolved issues that need to be resolved right away.
The Kerala High Court has ordered the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to present to it all relevant documentation regarding the removal of gold-plated copper coverings from the "Dwarapalaka" idols in the Sabarimala temple and their transportation to a Chennai-based company for restoration without notifying the court or the Sabarimala Special Commissioner.
According to the court, there were unresolved issues that needed to be resolved right away. The TDB replied that it would be challenging because the restoration process had already started when the court ordered on Wednesday that the coverings be returned to Sabarimala. In order to finish the electroplating process, it also sought time.
While reviewing a report from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner, a Division Bench consisting of Justices Rajavijayaraghavan V. and K.V. Jayakumar took a suo motu action on Friday and stated that, despite a 40-year guarantee, defects appeared within six years of gold plating in 2019. Unnikrishnan Potty, a resident of Bengaluru, had sponsored the gold plating.
A shift in position
The court observed that on July 30, the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner wrote to the Executive Officer, stating that some parts of the Dwarapalakas were already covered in gold and that Smart Creations, a Chennai-based electroplating company, lacked the technical know-how to remove the old coating. The court noted that he went on to say that only the conventional technique of gold cladding should be applied.
After allegedly consulting with the sponsor, the Commissioner changed his mind on August 8. In a subsequent message, he suggested that the components covered in gold be sent to Smart Creations for electroplating.
According to the court, the respondents seem to have disregarded the requirement on page 152 of the Travancore Devaswom Board Sub Group Manual that repairs be done in the Sannidhanam itself.
The sponsor pleaded
The court ordered the Chief Superintendent of Police (Vigilance) and the Security Officer to confiscate the records dating back to the original cladding date, citing a submission that the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner kept the entire set of records pertaining to the gold plating and cladding of the Dwarapalakas at his office in Aranmula.
Additionally, Mr. Potty and Smart Creations were added as respondents by the court suo motu. Additionally, it stated that Mr. Potty must present to the court his income tax records as well as the records of the money he spent through his bank accounts as a result of sponsorship.
Read more : sabarimala temple calander 2025 - 2026
#Kerala High Court order TDB
#Sabarimala temple news 2025
#Dwarapalaka idols gold plating
#Travancore Devaswom Board controversy
#Sabarimala gold covering removal case
#Kerala HC Sabarimala ruling
