The Kerala High Court has taken decisive action regarding financial irregularities at the famous Sabarimala temple. On Tuesday, the court ordered a comprehensive vigilance investigation into alleged fund misappropriation involving the sale of sacred ghee offerings.
Court Directs Corruption Probe
A bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar issued clear instructions to the state Vigilance Director. The court mandated the formation of a special investigation team to examine corruption allegations against employees of the Travancore Devaswom Board.
The TDB serves as the statutory body responsible for administering the Sabarimala temple. The probe will specifically focus on financial irregularities connected to the sale of "Adiya Sishtam Ghee," a sacred offering purchased by millions of devotees.
Alarming Financial Discrepancies
Investigators have uncovered troubling financial patterns during a preliminary examination. The alleged misappropriation occurred over a remarkably short period of less than two months, beginning November 17 last year.
Temple employees reportedly failed to remit proceeds from ghee sales during this timeframe. The court noted with concern that the estimated loss for this brief period alone reached nearly Rs 35 lakh.
Each 100-ml packet of the sacred ghee sells for Rs 100 to devotees. Temple counters prepare and distribute lakhs of these packets throughout the pilgrimage season. Revenue from these sales constitutes a significant portion of the TDB's overall income.
Court Expresses Grave Concerns
The judicial bench voiced serious apprehension about the potential scale of financial mismanagement. In their observation, the justices highlighted the disturbing implications of their findings.
"If the siphoning of amounts for a period just under two months, confined only to the sale of 'adiya sishtam ghee', is to the tune of nearly Rs 35 lakh, it is difficult to even imagine the magnitude of misappropriation that may have occurred over a longer period and across other revenue streams," the court stated.
The bench further emphasized that "the magnitude of the short remittance, within a limited window of time, is alarming and cannot be brushed aside as an accounting lapse."
Strict Investigation Protocols
The High Court established specific guidelines for conducting the corruption probe. Authorities must register a formal crime case under the Prevention of Corruption Act to determine the complete extent of financial irregularities.
The investigation team will operate under strict confidentiality requirements. The court explicitly prohibited sharing probe details with media outlets or the general public.
Furthermore, the vigilance team will report directly to the High Court rather than through regular administrative channels. This arrangement ensures judicial oversight throughout the investigative process.
Broader Temple Controversy
This ghee sales investigation emerges alongside another significant temple controversy. Sabarimala currently faces separate allegations regarding gold theft from temple premises.
The dual scandals have raised serious questions about administrative oversight and financial management at one of India's most prominent pilgrimage destinations. Devotees and observers await the investigation's findings with considerable interest.
The Kerala High Court's intervention demonstrates judicial determination to address corruption allegations thoroughly. The probe aims to restore transparency and accountability in temple administration while protecting the interests of millions of faithful devotees.
