Kerala High Court flags 4.54 kg gold missing from Sabarimala idols, orders inquiry

The Kerala High Court has ordered a vigilance inquiry into the unexplained loss of gold from the gold-cladded copper plates of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the Sabarimala temple.

A bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar noted that when the plates were removed for fresh gold-plating in 2019, they weighed 42.8 kg, but only 38.258 kg was produced before the Chennai-based firm engaged for the work, a shortfall of about 4.54 kg.

“There is a glaring and unexplained reduction of 4.541 kg This is an alarming discrepancy demanding a detailed enquiry,” the court observed.

The court noted that the Dwarapalaka idols were originally installed in 1999 based on official sanction and came with a 40-year warranty. However, defects had developed in the plating within just six years, prompting the repair works.

The controversy began when the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) removed the gold-plated copper plates covering the Dwarapalaka idols in 2019 for repair and re-gilding without prior intimation or approval from the Special Commissioner or the Court.

According to Live Law, the gold-cladded copper plates covering the Sabarimala Dwarapalaka idols were removed for repair and fresh gold-plating in 2019. Devotee-sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti took the plates to Chennai-based Smart Creations more than a month after removal. When the company received them, their weight had dropped from 42.8 kg to 38.25 kg. After re-plating, the weight increased slightly to 38.65 kg, still significantly below the original.

It directed the TDB’s Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, a Superintendent of Police, to conduct a comprehensive probe, examine all records, and file a report within three weeks.

The bench ordered that all registers be handed over to the vigilance officer and instructed the TDB to extend full cooperation.

- Ends