Sabarimala Gold Theft Scandal: 5 Kg Gold Missing From Temple Door Panels During Restoration

Thiruvananthapuram:

Claims have emerged regarding the theft of nearly five kilograms of gold from door panels at the renowned Sabarimala temple in Kerala during 2019 and 2025. The gold allegedly disappeared when these panels were sent to workshops for 'restoration' work, creating significant controversy around the sacred site and triggering political tensions.

The scandal surfaced last month and centers around a sponsor named Unnikrishnan Potti, who received authorization from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to conduct gold-plating at his own expense. The TDB released the items, which were recorded at 42.8 kg upon leaving the temple but weighed only 38.258 kg when they were returned.

Potti has rejected these allegations, maintaining that the panels were actually made of copper, which TDB records supposedly confirm. He asserted that he had no knowledge of any previous gold plating.

NDTV has obtained another TDB document revealing that in March 2019, three months before the aforementioned panels were released, another frame was provided to Potti. While this order described the frame as copper, reports indicate it had been covered with gold back in 1999.

On October 5, Potti underwent questioning for nearly three hours at the headquarters of the TDB's vigilance department, after which he departed without providing clear responses to media inquiries.

When pressed for answers, Potti stated, "Don't I have freedom as an individual? Everything will be proven before the High Court. Don't I have the right to move freely? The truth will prevail."

Officials from the Devaswom vigilance unit indicated that Potti, who has already been questioned twice—once in Thiruvananthapuram and once in Bengaluru—might be summoned again if necessary.

The controversy intensified after the Kerala High Court mandated the return of the panels and criticized the TDB for violating procedural protocols by failing to inform the Special Commissioner.

Both the Congress and the BJP—opposition parties in Kerala, where a Left front coalition governs—have announced state-wide protests beginning today and are calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe supervised by the High Court into the alleged improprieties.

The Palace has also urged officials to verify whether gold sheets donated by liquor magnate Vijay Mallya have gone missing and highlighted that essential procedural standards established in 2019 were not adhered to.

According to tradition, Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala, was adopted as a child by the then King of Pandalam. The royal family is therefore considered the earthly guardians of the deity, and their traditions continue to play a significant role in temple ceremonies.