Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau to Investigate Alleged Embezzlement at Sabarimala Temple Following Court Directive
In a landmark decision, the Kerala High Court has directed a comprehensive investigation into the alleged large-scale misappropriation of funds from the sale of "Adiya Sishtam Ghee" at the Sabarimala Temple. The decision, handed down by a bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar, comes after an inspection revealed unaccounted sale proceeds amounting to approximately Rs. 35 lakhs over a two-month period.
The court's suo motu intervention follows a report from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner highlighting criminal misappropriation of temple revenue. The Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau has been tasked with conducting the investigation, while the court has emphasized the need for enhanced financial transparency and accountability mechanisms within the Travancore Devaswom Board, which oversees the temple's operations.
The inspection uncovered that from November 17, 2025, to December 26, 2025, a significant discrepancy was noted in the sale proceeds of ghee packets, with a shortfall of Rs. 13,67,900. Additional irregularities were found during subsequent stock verifications, leading to a total estimated misappropriation of Rs. 22,65,500.
The court expressed grave concern over procedural lapses and the failure of administrative safeguards, which facilitated the alleged misappropriation. It has directed the Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau to form a team of competent officers to investigate the matter, ensuring that details of the investigation remain confidential.
In its directive, the court underscored the need for the Travancore Devaswom Board to implement tamper-proof software systems across its institutions to ensure financial transparency and accountability. The court also noted that prior approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, is not required to initiate the investigation given the serious nature of the allegations.
The court has mandated that the investigating team submit a progress report within one month, maintaining that the team shall be answerable solely to the court. This decision reflects the court's commitment to safeguarding temple revenues and ensuring accountability within the board's operations.
Bottom Line:
Misappropriation of temple revenue - Court directs comprehensive investigation into large-scale misappropriation of funds from the sale of sacred offerings at Sabarimala temple.
Statutory provision(s): Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 Section 17A
Suo Motu v. State of Kerala, (Kerala)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2837435
