Kerala High Court Orders Retired Judge to Oversee Sabarimala Temple Asset Inventory

The Kerala High Court entrusted retired judge Justice K.T. Sankaran with the task of supervising a comprehensive inventory of all valuables at the Sabarimala temple (Suo Motu v State of Kerala & ors).

 

A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar issued the order in connection with an alleged loss of gold from gold-plated copper sheets that covered the ‘Dwarapalaka idols’ (door guardians) at the temple.

 

During the hearing, the Court flagged serious gaps in records maintained by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) regarding the temple’s assets.

 

“We are of the view that a complete inventory of all valuables including gold, silver, precious stones and antiquities is necessary. We therefore request Justice K.T. Sankaran, former Judge of this Court, to engage a reputed jewel appraiser of proven expertise for a thorough evaluation of all items in the strong room, those listed in the Thiruvabharanam Register and gold-cladded articles. The Judge may seek further assistance if required, with such requests placed before this Court by the Special Commissioner. The Travancore Devaswom Board shall provide every facility needed to carry out this exercise,” the Bench directed.

 

The Court also ordered that the report submitted by the retired judge must remain confidential.

 

“After the appraisal, the learned Judge shall submit a report to this Court and ensure strict confidentiality, making it clear to the appraisers that the findings are not to be disclosed,” it said.

 

The suo motu case arose from concerns that gold was lost after copper coverings of the idols were sent for repairs without informing the Court or Special Commissioner.

 

The TDB had handed the coverings to ‘Smart Creations’, a Chennai-based firm, through a devotee named Unnikrishnan Potti.

 

However, records showed a discrepancy: 42.8 kg was handed to Potti but only 38 kg was received by the firm, leaving a gap of 4.54 kg. The Court expressed serious concern over this mismatch.

 

On September 17, it had already ordered an inquiry into the issue.

 

On Monday, the Chief Vigilance Officer filed a detailed report, revealing that gold-plated pedhams were discovered at the residence of Potti’s sister Mini. The vigilance team seized the items, which had no corresponding entries in TDB records.

 

The Court found this alarming and criticised the TDB for negligence, directing the creation of a digitised inventory of valuables with accurate valuation.

 

The Bench also instructed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer of TDB to continue the probe with utmost secrecy, adding that even Devaswom officials should not be informed.

 

“The Officer shall also probe the lapses by officials who casually entrusted priceless items without registers. The investigation shall be carried out with complete confidentiality to ensure integrity,” the order stated.

 

The vigilance report further revealed serious irregularities in TDB registers, including missing entries in the Thiruvabharanam diary, inconsistent documentation of offerings, and absence of records on valuables sent for repairs.

 

Citing these lapses, the Court stressed the importance of proper accounting and proposed that a retired district judge could assist with valuation to ensure accuracy of the temple’s asset records.

 

The entrusted judge must compile a detailed inventory recording the quantity, quality and value of every item, it said.

 

The Court also cleared the reinstallation of the repaired gold-plated coverings on the idols.

 

Originally installed in 1999 and replaced in 2019 with a 40-year warranty, the plates had shown defects within six years, prompting the repairs now under judicial scrutiny.

 

The matter will be heard again on October 27.

 

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