Sabarimala Ghee Case: Junior Priest Sunil Kumar Potti Arrested Over Embezzlement

Last Updated:February 05, 2026, 09:47 IST

Sunil Kumar Potti, who serves as a Keezhshanthi under the Travancore Devaswom Board, is the person arrested for irregularties.

Sabrimala Temple

The Vigilance department has arrested a staff member of the Travancore Devaswom Board in connection with alleged irregularities in the sale of Adiya Shishram ghee at the Sabarimala temple.

According to officials, the accused was taken into custody after an inquiry into complaints about the handling and sale of ghee offered by devotees. Authorities suspect violations in procedure during distribution and accounting.

Sunil Kumar Potti, who serves as a Keezhshanthi under the Travancore Devaswom Board, is the person arrested in the case. A previous devaswom vigilance inspection had detected serious irregularities in the sale of ghee.

He had been assigned by the Travancore Devaswom Board to handle the sale of Adiya Shishtam ghee at Sabarimala during the 2025–26 pilgrimage season.

According to preliminary findings, reportedly the amount collected from selling 16,628 packets of ghee was not credited to the devaswom account. Devotees had been charged Rs 100 for each 100 ml packet.

The Vigilance said staff appointed by the board to sell packed ghee during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival allegedly committed large-scale irregularities by not depositing the full sale amount with the board. Officials suspect stock and accounts were manipulated, resulting in a loss of Rs 24,400 to the Devaswom Board.

He was produced before the Kollam Vigilance Court, where Judge Dr CS Mohit remanded him to judicial custody. He was later shifted to the Kollam District Jail.

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