Sabarimala gold theft: Kerala HC asks SIT to check if TDB officials can be tried under Prevention of Corruption Act

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (November 5, 2025) directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case to conduct a scientific probe into how the gold could have been misappropriated during the repair and re-plating of the sacred artefacts, which include the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols, peedhom (pedestals) and doors of the temple.

It also directed the SIT to examine whether provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 are applicable in the case, considering the alleged involvement of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials. A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar further observed that the entire chain of events pointed to the systematic and deliberate misappropriation of temple assets, done under the guise of renovation and restoration.

Senior personnel of the SIT appeared before the court on Wednesday and were heard in-camera. After perusing a report submitted by the SIT, the court said the investigation is proceeding in the right track. It took strong exception to the alleged failure of the TDB officials in keeping the minutes book in order and the ‘serious discrepancies’ it noted in the minutes which were updated only till August 28.

Free reign to accused

As per practice and the manual, the repair of the main door can only be carried out under the strict supervision of the Maramath department. In the case on hand, a free reign was given to prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti to carry out the repair work. It also needs to be ascertained whether the TDB officials permitted Mr. Potti to take away the original gold-clad main door after replacing it with the door brought by him which was plated with just 324.400 g of gold. The SIT should investigate these aspects.

It is evident that Mr. Potti commenced his dubious activities in collusion with certain TDB officials, beginning with the so-called “sponsorship” of gold-plating of the main door of the Sreekovil. What appears at first glance to be an act of devotion has, on closer scrutiny, all the hallmarks of a calculated deceit. It is deeply alarming that the Devaswom Board authorities have been shockingly casual and negligent in permitting an individual of questionable integrity to take measurements and to produce replicas of sacred and invaluable temple elements, including the main doors, Dwarapalakas, Peedhoms, and other sacred artefacts. Such replicas could readily be sold in international markets at astronomical prices, a well-documented modus operandi of art smugglers and conmen worldwide.

Matters assumed a more ‘dubious complexion’ in July 2025, the court said. It added that every official who played any role, whether by authorising, facilitating, or wilfully overlooking these violations, has thereby aided and abetted the commission of the act, rendering themselves jointly and severally responsible for the desecration and misappropriation of sacred property entrusted to their care, the court observed.

Scientific investigation

The court went on to direct the SIT to conduct a scientific investigation, including the actual ‘loss of gold’ since 2019, by November 15, on which day the temple opens for the Mandalam-Makaravilakku Season. The matter has been posted for hearing on December 3.