The at Ernakulam has issued a comprehensive set of directives requiring the (TDB) to overhaul the administration of "Adiya Sishtam Ghee" sales at the Sabarimala temple. The follows reports of significant misappropriation of proceeds from the sacred offering, which were initially flagged by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner and subsequently detailed in an audit report from the . To ensure fiscal transparency and curb illicit practices, the court has mandated the immediate implementation of scientific, technology-driven monitoring systems across all sales counters at Sannidhanam.
The court’s directive, delivered by a comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K. V. Jayakumar, serves as a decisive response to ongoing concerns regarding the integrity of financial transactions involving the temple’s prasad. By mandating rigorous administrative reforms before the onset of the 2026-27 pilgrimage season, the court seeks to establish a standardized protocol that balances traditional worship requirements with modern financial accountability. The bench reviewed proceedings dated , submitted by the Devaswom Board, which outline a multi-layered strategy to address long-standing gaps in the inventory and cash-handling processes.
Regarding the scope and necessity of these reforms, the court noted:
"we are satisfied that the measures contemplated therein address the major deficiencies in the existing system and are intended to strengthen transparency, accountability and financial discipline in the sale and distribution of Adiya Sishtam Ghee."
This judicial endorsement reflects a shift toward integrating infrastructure upgrades—such as digital flow meters and automated inventory tracking—to mitigate the risk of human error or intentional manipulation by personnel responsible for high-volume sales.
Central to the court’s order is the requirement for a complete structural separation of duties. Previously, the lack of distinction between ticket issuance and physical product distribution created vulnerabilities that allowed for the unauthorized leakage of revenue. The board has now been directed to assign these responsibilities to distinct wings, ensuring that no single employee manages both the collection of payments and the handling of the product. Furthermore, the court has enforced strict rules regarding staff deployment, emphasizing that only experienced and vetted personnel should be stationed at sensitive counters to minimize administrative lapses.
The technical framework approved by the court includes the introduction of scientific measurement systems for the storage tanks where the ghee is housed. This move is designed to provide real-time reconciliation between the volume of ghee received, stored, and sold. The board is also set to deploy digital flow meters to measure the exact quantity of product flowing through pipelines to automated packing machines. By digitizing the tracking mechanism, the board intends to eliminate discrepancies that have previously complicated audits. Each transaction is to be recorded against individual employee login credentials, ensuring that every unit of prasad is traceable from preparation to the final sale.
The court expressed particular satisfaction with the integration of digital oversight in its order, stating:
"We particularly appreciate the decision to introduce scientific measurement systems, digital monitoring, computerised stock management and individual transaction tracking."
These technological investments, which also include the imprinting of batch numbers, production dates, and unique QR codes on each package, are intended to serve as a deterrent against unauthorized tampering. The installation of CCTV surveillance at all distribution points will provide continuous monitoring, further augmenting the accountability of staff members tasked with handling the sacred offering.
To ensure consistency in record-keeping, the bench has mandated that the income, expenditure, and stock registers be maintained in strict accordance with established financial procedures. Any physical loss, wastage, or damage to the product must be quantified and recorded immediately, closing potential loopholes where unaccounted losses were previously masked. Furthermore, the board is required to maintain thorough shift-change documentation, ensuring that the transfer of stock between personnel is formally registered. This systematic approach aims to remove any ambiguity regarding the flow of inventory during peak pilgrimage periods, such as the Mandalam and Makaravilakku seasons.
The is now under an explicit directive to complete all technological and administrative transitions before the commencement of the 2026-27 pilgrimage season. The court has also stipulated that the board must implement a cycle of regular, frequent physical verification of stock levels to ensure ongoing compliance with these new mandates. By requiring such proactive supervision, the bench aims to move the temple administration toward a model of self-sustaining financial integrity, where systemic checks and balances replace reliance on ad-hoc monitoring.
These directives conclude the court’s involvement in the current proceedings, which encompassed the petition arising from the Special Commissioner’s report and the audit report initiated by the . With the formal closure of the Devawom Board Audit Report (DBAR) No. 1 of 2026 and the Sabarimala Special Commissioner Report (SSCR) No. 3 of 2026, the responsibility for enforcing these safeguards now rests with the Board’s executive leadership. The implementation of these measures represents a substantial effort to align the operational management of the temple with modern audit standards, ensuring that the sanctity of the offering is matched by the rigor of its institutional oversight. The court expects full adherence to these standards to safeguard revenue and maintain public trust as the temple prepares for the upcoming influx of devotees.
financial accountability - temple revenue management
