Casual, Negligent: Kerala High Court Reprimands TDB for Missing Gold at Sabarimala
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| Kerala HC orders probe into 4.5 kg gold missing from Sabarimala temple idols & pedestals |
The court noted that 4.5 kg of gold cladding had vanished from Sabarimala's Dwarapalaka idols and Peedams.
Following the discovery of significant irregularities in the handling of gold-plated idols and Peedams, the Kerala High Court ordered a thorough inventory and appraisal of valuables at the Sabarimala Sreekovil.
Based on a report submitted by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner, the bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar issued the order on September 29, 2025, during suo motu proceedings.
The discovery that the Dwarapalaka idols' and their Peedams' gold cladding had been taken off without the Special Commissioner's knowledge set off the proceedings. According to investigations, in 2019, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) gave the gold coverings to Mr. Unnikrishnan Potty, a private individual, directly, in violation of its own protocols. The Sub-Group Manual stipulated that these repairs had to be done exclusively on Sannidhanam property.
According to records, the Board approved the initial gold plating of the idols in 1999. The idols, Peedams, and staircases were all completely covered in gold, as shown by photographs taken in 2013. However, the High Court discovered obvious documentation errors. There was no systematic account of the cladding material, and no registers were kept to document the amount of gold used.
Additionally, mahazars showed a disparity in weight. The items that were returned in August 2019 weighed 4.541 kilograms less than the items that were entrusted in July 2019. To make matters worse, when the idols and Peedams were reinstalled in September 2019, officials neglected to weigh them.
Gold-plated Peedams hidden in a sealed cover were found during the Vigilance Officer's search operations at the home of Mini, Mr. Potty's sister, on September 27, 2025. The court described the concealment as a sensational and shocking development, noting that Mr. Potty had neglected to disclose possession of these Peedams in his affidavit.
Devaswom officials came under fire from the bench for entrusting valuable items to a private sponsor who had "questionable antecedents."
The High Court noted systemic shortcomings in record-keeping and voiced dismay at the TDB's "casual and negligent" handling of sacred temple wealth.
Important temple assets like the Dwajasthambham, Dwarapalakas, and Peedams were not registered, despite the Thiruvabharanam Register recording ornaments, silver, precious stones, and other offerings.
Justice K.T. Sankaran, a former Kerala High Court judge, was assigned by the court to supervise the creation of a digital inventory of all valuables in an effort to restore accountability.
A reputable jewel appraiser with demonstrated experience has been assigned by Justice Sankaran to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the valuables in the strong room and those recorded in the Thiruvabharanam Register. The court ordered that the procedure be kept private and used only for internal security, not for public distribution.
The Chief Vigilance and Security Officer has also been instructed to move quickly to continue the investigation, concentrating not only on the disparities but also on the shortcomings of TDB officials who permitted this kind of poor management. The court emphasized the need for thorough documentation of temple assets in order to guard against abuse or theft.
A hearing has been scheduled for October 27, 2025.
Title of Case: State of Kerala and Others v. Suo Motu
Date of Order: September 29, 2025
Bench: Justices K.V. Jayakumar and Raja Vijayaraghavan V
