The Kerala High Court has ordered a vigilance investigation into the unexplained disappearance of 4.54 kilograms of gold from the gold-plated copper coverings of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the Sabarimala temple. The court also raised serious concerns over lapses by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which oversees the temple’s administration.
A bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar flagged a significant discrepancy in the weight of the gold-cladded plates removed for re-plating in 2019. Originally weighing 42.8 kg, the plates reportedly weighed only 38.258 kg when they were delivered to Smart Creations, a Chennai-based firm entrusted with the gold-plating work—a shortfall of 4.541 kg.
“There is a glaring and unexplained reduction of 4.541 kg. This is an alarming discrepancy demanding a detailed enquiry,” the bench observed.
The court noted that the Dwarapalaka idols were first installed in 1999 with a 40-year warranty. However, the gold cladding began showing defects within just six years, prompting the need for repairs. The TDB removed the plates for re-plating in 2019 but did so without prior approval or intimation to the Special Commissioner or the Court—raising procedural and accountability concerns.
According to case records, the devotee-sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti took the removed plates to Smart Creations over a month after their removal. At the time of delivery, the weight was significantly reduced. Even after re-plating, the final weight came to 38.65 kg, still well short of the original 42.8 kg.
In response, the High Court has directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer of the TDB—a Superintendent of Police-rank officer—to carry out a comprehensive investigation. The officer has been asked to examine all relevant records and submit a report within three weeks.
The bench also ordered that all registers and related documentation be handed over to the vigilance officer and directed the TDB to extend full cooperation throughout the probe.
This development has intensified scrutiny on the Devaswom Board’s handling of temple assets and administrative transparency, particularly in cases involving valuable religious artifacts.
