Kerala High Court 'Strongly Deprecates' Removal Of Gold Coverings From Sabarimala Idols Without Permission, Lets Repair Work Continue

The Kerala High Court on Monday (September 15) passed an interim order permitting Smart Creations, a Chennai-based concern, to continue the repair works on the gold plating on the Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala temple and to return them immediately upon completion of the work.The Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar was considering a suo motu petition initiated on the basis of a report submitted by the Special Commissioner stating that the gold platings were removed without prior intimation to it. The Travancore Core Devaswom Board (TDB), with sponsorship from devotee Unnikrishnan Potty (7th respondent), had sent the items to Smart Creations (8th respondent) for electroplating.When the matter came up for consideration, the TDB requested permission to complete the repair works and submitted to the Court that out of the 12 pieces, 4 pieces, which showed no fading, have already undergone lacquer coating and the same can be taken back safely. Another four pieces, which have already been polished, are transported before doing lacquer coating but there is a risk of causing damage to the gold due to rubbing during transportation. Those items will be transported only after completing the lacquer coating process, it was submitted. Regarding the final four pieces, it was submitted that there is considerable wear and tear and damages, and the gold plating had to be removed for repair before re-plating. Since the gold has already been separated by chemical process and is currently kept in gold liquid form in cyanide solution, the separated gold can be returned only after conversion into ingots and this conversion will take about 7-10 days. It was further submitted that when the damaged items are repaired, re-plating of the gold on the copper sheet will take only 4 days.It was further stated that the gold plated items are to be kept in a strong room of Aranmula till the nada opens for the 'Kannimasa Pooja'. TDB then stated that the gold coverings can be refitted on the dwarapalakas after carrying out the repairs and the Sudhi rituals suggested by the Thanthri and with Anujna from the deity.Considering the submission, the Court observed: "As further records are awaited and the gold is presently in liquid form, we find it necessary to direct Smart Creations from completing the process already underway. This is because no purpose would be served by retaining the Dwarapalakas with the 8th respondent. Nevertheless, we strongly deprecate the removal of gold plating without notifying the Special Commissioner and express our strong discontent that the Gold cladded plates were handed over without a precise inventory of the gold content...We direct the additional 8th respondent to complete the pending work forthwith. Upon completion, the items shall be immediately transported back to Sabarimala". Earlier, the Court had directed the TDB to bring back the gold platings removed. Subsequently, it had suo motu impleaded Potty and Smart Creations and sought production of all records relating to the repair works. It had also directed Superintendent of Police, the Chief Vigilance and the Security Officer (5th respondent) to seize the entire records concerning the gold-plating/gold-cladding of the Dwarapalakas, the door lintel, the door panel, the Lakshmi Roopam and Kamanam, commencing from the date of the original cladding.Pursuant to the same, three sets of mahazar documents were produced by the 5th respondent but it was stated he could not trace out certain mahazars which might shed light on the gold cladding/plating of the copper plates covering the idols. He further submitted that he has not been able to exhaustively verify the strong room to confirm the presence of another set of gold-clad copper plates covering the Dwarapalakas there. On hearing the same and noting that an email sent by Potty mentions the presence of the other set in the strong room, the Court felt that further enquiry is required concerning the same.To the 5th respondent, it made the following directions:"The Superintendent of Police shall seize and produce before this Court all remaining records, including mahazars, revealing -(i) the quantity of Gold used in the year 1999 for cladding the Dwarapalakas and the name and details of the sponsor and the artisan who carried out the work,(ii) the quantity of Gold used in the year 2019 for plating,(iii) the quantity required for the ongoing 2025 process, and(iv) the manner of recovery and reuse of the gold, along with all related records.(v) The second set of Dwarapalakas and Peedam, which are stated to be retained in the strong room."During the course of the proceedings today, the Court also had a detailed interaction with the Sales and Marketing Manager of Smart Creations.The case is posted to Wednesday (September 17).Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.Case No: SSCR No. 23 of 2025Click to Read/Download Order

Kerala High Court 'Strongly Deprecates' Removal Of Gold Coverings From Sabarimala Idols Without Permission, Lets Repair Work Continue

K. Salma Jennath

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