Kerala High Court Orders Probe Into Missing 4.5 Kg Gold From Sabarimala Idols

Kochi (The Uttam Hindu): The Kerala High Court has ordered an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the gold-plating of idols at the Sabarimala temple. The court noted that when the idols were repaired and returned in 2019 after fresh gold-plating, nearly 4.5 kilograms of gold was found missing.

Discrepancy Reported in 2019

The division bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar observed that when the copper plates, gold-plated from the idols of the temple’s guardian deities, were removed in 2019, they weighed 42.8 kilograms. However, after the entrusted Chennai-based firm completed the work, the weight was found to be around 4.541 kilograms less. The court remarked that the missing gold is a “serious and concerning matter” that requires thorough investigation.

The court also clarified that the idols were officially approved and installed in 1999 with a 40-year warranty. Despite this, defects appeared within just six years, leading to their repair. Notably, the idols were sent for repairs without the permission of either the special commissioner or the court.

The High Court has directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board (who also serves as Superintendent of Police) to conduct a detailed investigation. All relevant records and registers must be handed over to the vigilance officer, and a comprehensive report is to be submitted within three weeks. The court also instructed the Devaswom Board to extend full cooperation in the inquiry.