Kerala High Court Orders Vigilance Probe Into Missing 4.54 kg Gold From Sabarimala Idols
The Kerala High Court has directed a vigilance inquiry into the mysterious disappearance of 4.54 kilograms of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the Sabarimala temple, raising serious questions about the management of temple assets.
A division bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar flagged the discrepancy after reviewing records from 2019, when the gold-cladded copper plates covering the idols were removed for re-plating. At the time of removal, the plates weighed 42.8 kg. However, by the time they were presented before Chennai-based Smart Creations, the firm tasked with the re-plating work, the weight had dropped to 38.25 kg — a shortfall of about 4.54 kg. After re-plating, the plates weighed 38.65 kg, still well below their original weight.
The Dwarapalaka idols, installed in 1999 with a 40-year warranty, had developed defects in the gold plating within just six years, prompting the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to initiate repair works in 2019. However, the court noted that the TDB had removed the plates without prior approval from either the Special Commissioner or the court, raising concerns over procedural lapses.
The controversy surfaced when it was revealed that devotee-sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti had transported the plates to Chennai more than a month after their removal, by which time their weight had already diminished.
Taking note of these discrepancies, the High Court directed the TDB’s Chief Vigilance and Security Officer — a Superintendent of Police — to lead a comprehensive probe. The officer has been instructed to examine all relevant records, scrutinise the chain of custody, and submit a report within three weeks. The bench further ordered that all registers and documents be handed over to the vigilance team, and directed the TDB to extend full cooperation.
The case has drawn public attention not only due to the substantial quantity of missing gold but also because of the sanctity and significance of the Sabarimala temple, one of Kerala’s most prominent pilgrimage centres. The vigilance probe is expected to shed light on whether the loss was due to mismanagement, negligence, or foul play.
