Kerala High Court Demands Comprehensive Investigation into Sabarimala Temple Gold Theft Conspiracy

Kochi:

The Kerala High Court has declared that the gold theft from Sabarimala temple cannot be dismissed as an isolated incident, raising questions about a potentially sophisticated conspiracy behind the crime.

According to court documents obtained by NDTV, the judiciary is seeking an independent court-monitored investigation to oversee the Sabarimala gold theft probe, one that transcends the technical limitations of the previous Special Commissioner's report proceedings.

Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar, comprising the bench, observed that the sequence of events since 2019 strongly indicates a broader and meticulously planned conspiracy involving Travancore Devaswom Board officials at multiple levels.

The case originated from the removal of gold plating from the Dwarapalaka idols and side frames of the Sreekovil. Investigations discovered that the idols were handed over to sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti in 2019, violating regulations that required such repairs to be conducted within temple premises. The court highlighted that officials incorrectly described the idols as "copper plates," permitted their removal from the shrine, and failed to weigh them upon their return.

The Special Investigation Team's report revealed that Potti was allowed to keep more than 400 grams of gold from the side frames. Investigators uncovered emails showing he had requested the Board's authorization to utilize some of the gold for a wedding. In total, approximately 475 grams of temple gold remains unaccounted for, raising additional questions about the Board's involvement.

The court stated these oversights were deliberate rather than accidental. It noted that despite complaints regarding damage to the plating and an existing forty-year warranty, the same sponsor was covertly entrusted with the idols again in 2025. The judges suggested this was likely an attempt to conceal the earlier theft.

Describing the situation as "a larger and well-orchestrated scheme," the High Court instructed the SIT to broaden its investigation beyond the idols and side frames to examine the complicity of Board officials "from the highest echelons downwards." The court emphasized that senior officers cannot merely shift blame to subordinates when Lord Ayyappa's valuables were the collective responsibility of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

To ensure transparency, the court ordered the registration of a new suo motu writ petition, replacing the earlier Special Commissioner's proceedings. It also directed the SIT to confiscate the Board's Minutes Book and place it under judicial custody. The idols, whose gold plates were reattached on October 17, have already been examined as part of a court-mandated inventory.

The case will resume on November 5, with proceedings to be conducted in camera.