Sabarimala Ghee Sales Scandal: Kerala HC Orders Vigilance Probe into Fund Misappropriation
The Sabarimala temple management faces a fresh scandal over ghee sales. This comes as it already deals with a gold theft case. The Kerala High Court has now stepped in.
On Tuesday, the court directed the state Vigilance Director to form a special team. This team must register a crime under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The goal is to uncover the full extent of fund misappropriation by Travancore Devaswom Board employees.
Details of the Alleged Scam
The probe focuses on the sale of "Adiya Sishtam Ghee." This is a sacred offering sold to devotees at the temple. Each 100-ml packet sells for Rs 100. Lakhs of these packets are prepared and sold over the counters.
Proceeds from these sales form a key part of the TDB's revenue. However, a Temple Vigilance Officer detected irregularities. Employees allegedly failed to remit the proceeds from ghee sales.
The misappropriation occurred over a short period. It started on November 17 last year and lasted less than two months. Despite this brief window, the estimated loss is staggering.
Court's Strong Observations
The High Court Bench, comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar, expressed deep concern. They noted the siphoning amounted to approximately Rs 35 lakh in just under two months. This figure relates only to the sale of Adiya Sishtam Ghee.
The court stated, "If the siphoning for such a short period, confined to ghee sales, reaches Rs 35 lakh, it is difficult to imagine the magnitude over a longer period and across other revenue streams." The judges called the short remittance "alarming." They refused to dismiss it as a mere accounting lapse.
Furthermore, the court observed that such large-scale siphoning could not happen without knowledge or acquiescence from higher-ups. Officers at the top have a fiduciary duty to protect temple revenue. The failure to implement basic safeguards amounts to a grave dereliction of duty.
Probe Guidelines and Secrecy
The court issued strict instructions for the investigation. Details of the probe must not be revealed to the press. The vigilance team will answer directly to the court. This ensures transparency and prevents interference.
This scandal adds to the troubles of the Sabarimala management. The temple is already embroiled in a separate case involving alleged gold theft. The dual controversies raise serious questions about financial oversight at the revered shrine.
Devotees and the public await the outcome of the vigilance probe. Many hope it will restore accountability and trust in the temple's administration.
