The Kerala High Court on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the unexplained reduction in the weight of the gold-cladded copper plates of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the Sabarimala temple and ordered a vigilance probe into the matter.
A division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar noted startling discrepancies in records maintained during the last removal of the plates in 2019. According to temple records, the plates weighed 42.8 kilograms when removed from the sanctum sanctorum. However, when presented before the Chennai-based company tasked with gold-plating, their weight had dropped to 38.258 kilograms, reflecting a reduction of 4.541 kg.
The bench observed that such a significant reduction could only be attributed to the loss of gold cladding, raising suspicions of mismanagement or possible misappropriation. It further noted that the plates were produced before the company 39 days after their removal, without any plausible explanation.
The judges highlighted that Devaswom officials present during the transfer failed to report the discrepancy. More alarmingly, no record was made of the weight of the plates when they were re-fixed on the idols and the Peedams (pedestals). The bench said this lapse appeared “intentional” and “points to serious administrative failures.”
Describing the irregularities as “of the gravest order,” the court said the lapses revealed a disturbing pattern of “callous negligence and probable wrongdoing.” It ordered the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (SP rank) to conduct a comprehensive probe into:
- The unexplained reduction in weight.
- The role of the sponsor who took custody of the plates in 2019.
- The possibility of a second set of Dwarapalakas and Peedams being kept in the temple’s strong room.
The court directed the officer to submit a detailed report within three weeks and warned the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) against any delay or obstruction.
The suo motu proceedings were initiated by the High Court after reports emerged that the gold-cladded plates had been removed without informing the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala. Last week, the court had ordered the TDB to bring back from Chennai the gold-plated copper sheets fitted above the idols and strongly criticised the board for acting without prior approval.
