The Kerala High Court has directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to launch a detailed investigation into allegations of irregularities and possible financial misconduct in the supply of Milma ghee to the Sabarimala temple during the 2025–26 Mandala-Makaravilakku season.
A Division Bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar ordered the Director of the VACB to constitute a special team under IPS officer M.S. Sojan. The Court observed that Sojan was best suited to lead the inquiry, as he is already heading another investigation concerning alleged criminal misappropriation linked to the sale of “Adiya Sishtam Ghee” at Sabarimala counters.
The Bench also approved the appointment of Deputy Superintendent of Police C.S. Hari as the investigating officer, along with Inspectors Saji Shankar A.S., Sreejith S., Kiran T.R. and Ratheendra Kumar R.S. as members of the team.
Emphasising the seriousness of the allegations, the Court instructed the officers to pursue the investigation with “utmost diligence and vigour.”
The proceedings stem from a suo motu case initiated after the Sabarimala Special Commissioner submitted a report flagging concerns over the procurement and delivery of ghee to the shrine. The report relied, in part, on media accounts alleging that adulterated ghee had reached Sabarimala during the pilgrimage season.
Following those reports, an internal inquiry was conducted by the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer. The inquiry raised doubts over whether the entire quantity of 1,61,535 litres of ghee said to have been supplied by Milma had actually reached the temple premises.
The report also highlighted questions surrounding the tender process. According to the findings, Milma had not emerged as the lowest bidder for the contract. While another bidder had quoted ₹369 per litre, Milma’s offer stood at ₹510 per litre.
Despite the higher price, the Travancore Devaswom Board eventually approved Milma’s proposal after receiving communications from an executive officer, Murari Babu, who reportedly argued that Milma’s product, being of superior quality and manufactured by a government-owned enterprise, would require a smaller quantity for preparing aravana prasadam.
However, the inquiry pointed to multiple inconsistencies in the transportation records, stock receipts and accounting of the ghee supplied to the temple.
In an earlier order issued on August 3, the High Court observed that the preliminary material suggested the possibility of coordinated actions involving certain officials and board members, potentially resulting in significant financial losses to the Travancore Devaswom Board. The Bench also noted concerns that payments may have been released for quantities that were never delivered.
The Court remarked that the allegations strike at the integrity of the procurement process and involve the handling of public funds by a statutory body managing one of the country’s most revered pilgrimage centres.
The vigilance team has now been directed to submit a progress report within one month. The Court further clarified that the investigating officers will remain accountable only to the High Court during the course of the probe.
