The Kerala High Court has found “deep-rooted systemic deficiencies” in the Travancore Devaswom Board’s procedures, supervision, stock accounting, and financial controls concerning sacred offerings at the Sabarimala temple, and directed the Board to establish a transparent and accountable mechanism to safeguard temple revenue.
A Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar made the observations after examining a report submitted by a Special Investigation Team of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau probing alleged misappropriation in the sale of Adiya Sishtam Ghee, a sacred offering at the Lord Ayyappa shrine.
The SIT informed the court that a case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against 33 persons, including temple special officers and around 30 counter staff.
The court directed the SIT to continue the investigation and attempt to complete it within 45 days.
After perusing the report, the Bench observed that the irregularities were not isolated but indicative of structural failures.
“…we find the existence of several anomalies which are symptomatic of deep-rooted systemic deficiencies. These deficiencies, in our considered view, require to be addressed by the Board on an emergent footing,” the court said.
“These are not isolated irregularities but point to systemic deficiencies in procedure, supervision, stock accounting, and financial control,” it added.
The court said it was “shocking” to note the “callous and casual manner” in which records were maintained and the income from sacred offerings accounted for, describing the situation as “wholly unacceptable”.
The Bench directed that all income generated from the sale of prasadam items—including Appam, Adiya Sishtam Ghee, Aravana, Vibhoothi, Kumkum, and other offerings—must be brought under a fully accountable and transparent administrative and financial system.
It mandated the creation of a standardised end-to-end procedure covering:
- recording the quantity of offerings received from devotees on a daily and seasonal basis
- monitoring storage and stock movement
- documenting sales
- ensuring proper remittance and accounting of proceeds
The court emphasised that offerings made by devotees must be handled with “sanctity and fiduciary responsibility” and that the revenue legitimately accruing to the Board must be protected.
Noting institutional shortcomings, the Bench said the Board currently lacks the technical expertise and systemic capacity to independently reform its accounting processes.
“We have consciously adverted to the need for professional assistance, as the materials placed before us reveal that the Board presently lacks the institutional capacity, technical expertise, and systemic machinery required to independently put its administrative and accounting processes in proper order,” the court observed.
The Board has been directed to place a detailed, time-bound action plan before the court explaining how it will implement the framework.
The matter arose from a suo motu petition initiated by the High Court based on a report by the TDB’s Chief Vigilance and Security Officer highlighting irregularities in the sale proceeds of Adiya Sishtam Ghee during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
On January 13, the court had ordered a vigilance probe after stating it was “shocked and deeply disturbed” by the alleged misappropriation.
The case has been posted for further hearing on February 27.
