The gold-plating scandal at Kerala's revered Sabarimala temple has deepened significantly, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) revealing that the pilferage extends far beyond initial estimates. The probe, ordered by the Kerala High Court, has now discovered that gold is missing from several more sacred artefacts, prompting investigators to seek advanced technical assistance from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
From Two Artefacts to a Wider Scandal
Initially, the SIT reported to the court about two specific cases of missing gold: from the "dwarapalaka" (guardian deity) idols and the door frames of the temple's sanctum sanctorum. However, in a recent report submitted to the vigilance court in Kollam, the SIT has categorically stated that the scandal is not confined to just these two items. The investigation has uncovered a more extensive pattern of irregularities.
The scandal's roots trace back to a complex history of repair and renovation work. In 1999, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) initiated repairs for the gold-clad Dwarapalakas, using 30 kg of gold sponsored by then-UB Group chairman Vijay Mallya. An expert involved stated that only 5 kg was used for the idols, with the remainder plating other temple features.
The plot thickened two decades later. In 2019, Unnikrishnan Potty obtained TDB's approval to sponsor the gold-plating of temple valuables at his own expense. Alarmingly, the handover document described the items as bearing "copper plates," making no mention of the existing gold from 1999. When Potty returned the items 39 days later, the consignment from Chennai showed an unexplained loss of 4.54 kg of gold, which the TDB reportedly overlooked.
Court Intervention and Procedural Violations
The Kerala High Court stepped in after the Sabarimala Special Commissioner reported on September 9, 2025, that the gold-plated coverings of the Dwarapalaka idols had been removed without prior notice and sent to Chennai. This violated the court's explicit 2023 directive, which mandated prior intimation to the Special Commissioner for any such work.
The court found multiple procedural lapses in the 2025 repair process orchestrated by Potty and Chennai-based firm Smart Creations:
- Potty advocated for electroplating over traditional gold-plating, claiming it required less gold, a claim initially contested by the commissioner of sacred ornaments.
- The TDB violated its own manual by allowing the work to be done off-site in Chennai instead of at the temple under supervision.
- The vigilance officer was absent during the handover of items to Potty for transport.
The court immediately halted the repairs and ordered the items' return to the temple.
Expansive Findings and ISRO's Role
The SIT's latest findings are damning. The probe has confirmed that gold is missing from seven copper plates at the Prabha Mandalam, which covers the idols of Siva and the Vyali roopam on the temple steps. Investigators discovered that the gold was separated using a chemical mixture at Smart Creations in Chennai and is currently in the possession of Bellary-based jeweller Govardhan Roddam.
In a significant development, the SIT has sought the technical expertise of ISRO's VSSC-Thiruvananthapuram centre to determine the exact quantity of gold-plating material on various temple artefacts. VSSC scientists will collect samples from the gold-covered copper plates to conduct a precise scientific analysis.
The SIT has arrested ten persons so far, including three CPI(M) leaders such as former legislator A Padmakumar. The agency has also sought custody of three key accused: Unnikrishnan Potty, Govardhan Roddam, and Pankaj Bhandari of Smart Creations. Adding to the political ramifications, the SIT recently questioned former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, who held the portfolio in 2019 when the alleged thefts occurred.
The scandal has shaken devotees' trust and exposed severe administrative lapses within the temple's governing body. As the SIT, with ISRO's cutting-edge assistance, delves deeper, more revelations about the missing sacred gold are expected to surface, potentially leading to further arrests and systemic reforms.
