The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the preparation of a comprehensive and digitised inventory of all valuables at the Sabarimala temple, including gold, silver, precious stones and antiques, after serious discrepancies were found in the weight of gold-plated copper plates of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols.
A division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar recommended that the inventory be carried out under the supervision of retired Justice K.T. Sankaran. The court also instructed that a reputed and trustworthy jewel appraiser be engaged to assess the value of all items, including those recorded in the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) Register.
The issue came to light after the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Vigilance Officer reported that copper plates removed in 2019 for fresh gold plating weighed 42.8 kg, but when handed over to the entrusted company, the recorded weight was only 38.258 kg.
The court noted that no record of the weight of the Dwarapalakas and their pedestals (peedams) was maintained at the time of refixing, terming the lapse “unacceptable” and evidence of “serious systemic flaws and administrative negligence.”
While the Thiruvabharanam Register maintains details of ornaments and offerings made to the deity, the court pointed out that no registers exist for the Dwajasthambham (flag mast), Dwarapalaka idols or peedams, nor for the quantity of gold used in cladding. The bench stressed the urgent need for a digitised record to protect temple property from misuse or pilferage.
Adding to the concern, the Vigilance Officer informed the court that the second set of Dwarapalaka idols, believed to be in the strong room, could not be located.
In a sensational revelation, the Vigilance Officer reported that the gold-coated pedestal of the Dwarapalakas, earlier declared missing, had been found at the house of a relative of Unnikrishnan Potty, the sponsor. The court criticised the Devaswom officials for entrusting such priceless property to a person with questionable antecedents and without proper documentation.
“This shocking discovery highlights the secretive and irregular handling of valuable temple property,” the bench observed.
The court appointed retired Justice K.T. Sankaran to oversee the preparation of a complete inventory and appraisal of valuables at the Sannidhanam. It directed the TDB to provide necessary facilities and ensure confidentiality during the appraisal, clarifying that the evaluation was meant only for internal safeguarding and not for public dissemination.
Justice Sankaran has been authorised to seek further assistance, with all requests to be placed before the court through the Special Commissioner.
The bench directed the Vigilance Officer to probe lapses by Devaswom officials who failed to maintain requisite registers and who allowed irregular entrustment of items. It ordered that the investigation be conducted in strict confidence to uphold integrity.
In addition, the court ordered immediate repairs to the sanctum doors and allowed the reinstallation of recently returned gold-clad plates after repair in Chennai.
The matter will come up for further consideration at the end of October.
