Kerala High Court Uncovers ‘Serious Systemic Flaw’ in Sabarimala Temple Asset Management

Kochi, India – The Kerala High Court has delivered a scathing critique of the Travancore Devaswom Board, exposing what it termed a “serious systemic flaw” in the management and documentation of priceless valuables at the renowned Sabarimala temple. In an ongoing suo motu proceeding, the Court highlighted alarming discrepancies, including the disappearance of 4 kilograms of gold, the clandestine removal of temple artifacts, and a complete absence of fundamental record-keeping, raising profound questions about the Board's fiduciary duties and the security of religious endowments.

The division bench, comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar, is scrutinizing the administration of one of India's most significant pilgrimage sites following a startling report from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner. The report revealed that gold-plated copper coverings from the sacred Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the temple's sanctum sanctorum were removed and transported to a private firm in Chennai for repairs without any official intimation or oversight.

This case, titled Suo Motu v State of Kerala (SSCR 23/2025), has since unraveled a web of mismanagement that the court suggested may be intentional.

The Core of the Controversy: A Failure of Governance

The High Court's investigation has brought to light a critical failure in the Devaswom Board's governance: the lack of a comprehensive inventory for major temple fixtures. The bench noted a stark contrast between the meticulous records kept for devotee offerings and the complete void of documentation for permanent, high-value assets.

While ornaments and coins donated by devotees are logged in the 'Thiruvabharanam register' with details of description, date, and quality, the Court was shocked to find that no such records exist for items like the kodimaram (flagstaff), the Dwarapalaka idols, or their peedams (pedestals).

“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 during the hearing.

This absence of a baseline record has created an environment ripe for misappropriation. The Court observed that without knowing the original weight and gold content of these fixtures, any theft or loss becomes nearly impossible to prove, effectively enabling irregularities and the concealment of temple property.

Clandestine Dealings and Intentional Lapses

The proceedings have revealed that the gold-plated items were not handled through official channels but were "clandestinely" entrusted to a devotee, Unnikrishnan Potty (the seventh respondent), who claimed to be sponsoring the repair work. The investigation took a more serious turn when the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer informed the Court that the gold-plated peedams were seized from the residence of Potty's sister.

Further compounding the issue, the Court noted there was no mahazar report (an official record of seizure) or any register entry to confirm that these seized items were ever returned to the temple's Sannidhanam. This was branded a "serious lapse."

In a particularly damning observation, the bench pointed to the re-fixing of the repaired Dwarapalakas and peedoms on September 11, 2019. The official mahazar prepared on that date deliberately omitted the weight of the items. The Court suggested this was not a mere oversight but a calculated omission.

“We have noted that the failure can also be intentional so as to ensure that none of these aspects should come to light,” the Court stated, implying a deliberate effort to cover up the 4kg gold deficit that had been previously detected.

A Cascade of Missing Records

The investigation by the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer has unearthed further evidence of systemic failure. An email from the seventh respondent had suggested the existence of another set of Dwarapalaka idols in the temple's strong room, a claim that, if true, could have accounted for some discrepancies. However, the vigilance officer confirmed to the Court that no such idols or peedams were found, deepening the mystery.

Perhaps most alarmingly, the register pertaining to the 1999 gold cladding of the sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) roof and other related works could not be traced. According to the vigilance report, reliable accounts from artisans involved in the 1999 project indicated that over 30 kilograms of gold had been used. Without the official register, this substantial amount of gold is effectively off the books, leaving no official record to substantiate its existence or current status.

Judicial Intervention and the Path Forward

Faced with what it described as a "very casual manner" of handling temple property, the High Court has mandated a series of corrective actions to instill accountability and transparency.

1. Comprehensive Inventory and Valuation: The Court has directed that a complete inventory of all temple valuables be prepared. This is not to be a mere list but a detailed valuation conducted with the assistance of an expert valuer to properly document the exact quantity and worth of every asset. "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," the bench directed.

2. Unfettered Vigilance Investigation: The Chief Vigilance and Security Officer has been ordered to continue the investigation "in a firm manner" to uncover all discrepancies. Crucially, the probe's scope has been expanded to include an examination of the lapses and potential complicity of Devaswom Board officials themselves.

3. Systemic Reform: The Court's orders signal a push for systemic reform in how religious endowments are managed. The case underscores the principle that temple boards act as trustees of public and devotee property, a role that demands the highest standards of diligence, transparency, and record-keeping.

The matter has been posted for further consideration at the end of October, when the Court will review the progress of the investigation and the inventory process. The outcome of this case is poised to have far-reaching implications for the administration of temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board and may serve as a legal precedent for mandating stricter governance and accountability protocols for religious trusts across the country.