Sabarimala Gold Case: SIT Charges Former Temple Board President, Multiple Officials
A special investigation team (SIT) has been tasked with investigating allegations of financial irregularities surrounding missing gold and questionable sponsorships at the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, with the former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), A. Padmakumar, among those charged. The probe extends to all board members who served in 2019, the period during which Padmakumar held the presidency.
The investigation was prompted by a Kerala High Court order directing a detailed examination of concerns regarding missing gold from the temple’s treasury and the financing of donations. The Travancore Devaswom Board, a self-governing body responsible for the administration of temples in Kerala, including Sabarimala, is at the center of the controversy.
The government of Kerala initiated scrutiny of donations received through the Hundi (offering box) at the Sabarimala temple, further fueling the investigation. A key figure in the unfolding case is Unnikrishnan, a businessman based in Bengaluru who reportedly sponsored numerous golden offerings to the shrine. However, vigilance officials discovered that Potty lacked a verifiable, consistent income source.
“There is no permanent income,” a senior official stated, referencing an examination of Potty’s income tax returns from 2017 through 2025, conducted with the assistance of his chartered accountant. The initial inquiry, filed with the Kerala High Court, led to the formation of the SIT to conduct a comprehensive investigation under the court’s supervision.
Evidence suggests that Potty’s sponsorships were not solely funded by his own resources. Investigations revealed that funding for many of the golden offerings originated from other businessmen. For example, a businessman from Ballari was identified as the actual financier behind a sponsored shrine, while Ajikumar allegedly provided gold for the temple’s Sreekovil (inner sanctum) under the guise of sponsorship from Potty.
Potty has been a long-time donor to the temple, contributing significantly in January 2025 alone. His donations included Rs 10 lakh towards the installation of a lift in the Antadana porch, Rs 6 lakh for a free food service, and previously, Rs 8.2 lakh encompassing 17 tonnes of rice and 30 tonnes of vegetables.
The vigilance report from 2019 implicated nine Devaswom officials, including former Administrative Officer Babu, former Executive Officer Sunil Kumar, Administrative Officer Sreekumar, former Executive Officer V.S. Radhara Prasad, and former Administrative Officer K. Rajendran Nair. The report also highlighted discrepancies identified during a finance inspection conducted by the Deputy Devaswom Commissioner.
The SIT probe officially commenced under the direction of the Kerala High Court. The case was initially registered with the crime branch on Saturday and subsequently transferred to the SIT, encompassing both the missing gold from the Hundi and the irregularities surrounding the shrine donations.
Potty is listed as the first accused in both cases, with several TDB officials also facing charges. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the full extent of the financial irregularities and the involvement of all parties concerned.
