Kerala High Court Slams Devaswom Board Over Poor Record-Keeping At Sabarimala, Orders Deeper Probe In Dwarapalaka Idols Case

Following "serious discrepancies" in the handling of gold-cladded plates on Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala temple, the Kerala High Court has strongly criticized the Travancore Devaswom Board for failing to maintain proper registers of temple valuables.The division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar were hearing suo motu proceedings initiated on the basis of a report submitted by the Special Commissioner as per which the gold-plated copper coverings of the Dwarapalaka idols were removed without intimating him, and then transported to 8th respondent (Smart Creations) in Chennai, for repair works. Loss of 4 kg of gold from the idols was detected when the matter was last earlier, pursuant to which an inquiry has been initiated. Today, the bench noted that the lapses in record-keeping have enabled irregularities and concealment of temple property. It observed that unlike ornaments and coins presented by devotees, which are logged with details of description, date, receipt, and quality in the Thiruvabharanam register, no such records exist for other temple fixtures like the kodimaram, dwarapalaka idols, peedams etc.“In so far as the kodimarams as well as dwarpaalakas, peedams etc, there is no mention whatsoever in the Thiruvabharanam register as to when they were installed, the quantity of gold involved. This we find, is a serious discrepancy,” the bench orally remarked.The gold-plated copper plates were "clandestinely" entrusted to a devotee Unnikrishnan Potty (seventh respondent), who claimed to act as a sponsor. for repair works. The Chief Vigilance and Security officer today informed the Court that the gold-plated peedams were seized from his sister's residence.The Court however noted that there was no mahazar report nor any register entry to confirm that these items were ever brought back to Sannidhanam, terming it a “serious lapse.” It also noted that the weight of the dwarapalaka idols were not recorded at the time of re-fixing it. This, the Court noted, was intentional to ensure that none of the discrepancy (4kg missing gold) comes to light.“We also note that the Mahazar dated 11/09/2019 produced before this court by the Chief Vigilance and Security officer at the time of refixing the dwarapalakas and peedoms in the Sopanama, the weight of the items were not recorded. We have noted that the failure can also be intentional so as to ensure that none of these aspects should come to light,” it said.Earlier, the Court had given time to the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer time to ascertain whether there was another set of dwarapalaka idols in the strong room owing to an email communication from the seventh respondent. Today, it was submitted that he was not able to detect any Dwarapalaka idols or peedams in the strong room.The Chief Vigilance and Security Officer also submitted that the register prepared during the 1999 gold cladding of the sreekovil roof and related works could not be traced. Reliable accounts from artisans indicated that over 30 kg of gold had been used at the time, but no official record is available to substantiate this. The Court directed a comprehensive inventory and valuation be undertaken with the help of an expert valuer, so that the exact quantity and worth of the temple's valuables are properly documented. The Court has appointed Justice K T Sankaran, former Judge of the Kerala High Court, for the appraisal of all items in the strong room as well as those recorded in the Thiruvabharanam Register and the items which have been gold-cladded with help of a reputed jewel appraiser. The Court said the failure of registers to record whether items were entrusted, returned, or valued revealed a “serious systemic flaw.” It also directed the vigilance officer to examine lapses on the part of Devaswom officials, noting that items were handed over to the seventh respondent “in a casual manner.”“In order to correct all these anomalies, it is high time that a proper inventory is prepared and the value statement is prepared in an authentic manner so that it can be stored. In so far as investigation is concerned, we direct the Chief vigilance and security Officer to continue the investigation in a firm manner and bring to light the discrepancies and while carrying out the investigation, the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer shall also investigate into lapses, if any on the part of the officers of devaswom, as we find that the items have been entrusted to the seventh respondent in a very casual manner and none of the registers are maintained in so far as the same is concerned.” the bench orally remarked.The matter has been posted for further consideration at the end of October.Case Title: Suo Motu v State of Kerala Case No: SSCR 23/ 2025Counsel for Respondents: S Rajmohan (Sr. GP), G Biju, R Sudhish, M Manju, K B Pradeep, Kshema Elozabeth Samuel, Aneeta Nirmal MamenAmicus Curiae: Sayujya RadhkrishnanClick Here To Read/ Download Interim Order

Kerala High Court Slams Devaswom Board Over Poor Record-Keeping At Sabarimala, Orders Deeper Probe In Dwarapalaka Idols Case

Anamika MJ

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