The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged disappearance of gold from the Sabarimala temple has informed the Kerala High Court that its investigation has uncovered substantial evidence pointing to the involvement of seven individuals, including former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P.S. Prashanth.
Hearing the suo motu proceedings concerning the alleged diversion of gold from the temple’s Dwarapalaka idols, a Division Bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar took note of the SIT’s findings and directed investigators to expedite the remaining stages of the probe.
The Bench stressed that the investigation must be exhaustive, observing that every possible effort should be made to uncover the complete truth and ensure that all those responsible are proceeded against in accordance with law.
According to the SIT, evidence collected so far implicates the following individuals:
- Former TDB President P.S. Prashanth;
- Sabarimala Executive Officer Murari Babu;
- Sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty;
- Smart Creations proprietor Pankaj Bhandari;
- TDB member A. Ajikumar;
- Chief Priest (Thantri) Kandararu Rajeevaru; and
- TDB Thiruvabharanam Commissioner Rejilal.
The investigation report states that criminal cases have been registered against them under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, relating to criminal breach of trust, forgery and criminal conspiracy.
The SIT also informed the Court that the inquiry has not yet concluded with these seven individuals. Investigators are continuing to examine the possible role of several other former TDB functionaries, including former board member Sundareshan, former secretary Bindhu, Thantri Mahesh Mohanararu and former Thiruvabharanam Commissioner Sunila.
The High Court directed the SIT to proceed against any of these persons as well if the investigation yields sufficient material establishing their involvement in the alleged misappropriation.
As reports from the National Metallurgical Laboratory in Jamshedpur and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre are still awaited, the Bench granted the SIT an additional two weeks to complete the investigation. The matter has been posted for further hearing on July 20.
The controversy traces its origins to allegations concerning gold donated in 1999 for the Dwarapalaka idols and portions of the Sreekovil. During renovation work in 2019, the gold-covered plates were removed and transported to Chennai for repairs. Records prepared at the time reportedly described the removed material as copper sheets instead of gold-plated copper plates.
Questions intensified after measurements taken following the repair work allegedly revealed that several kilograms of gold were unaccounted for.
The issue resurfaced in 2025 when the temple’s gold-clad plates were again sent for restoration. During those proceedings, the Special Commissioner informed the High Court that the Travancore Devaswom Board had handed over the gold-plated copper plates to devotee Unnikrishnan Potty for repair and electroplating without obtaining prior approval from either the Special Commissioner or the Court.
The disclosure prompted the High Court to initiate suo motu proceedings and constitute a Special Investigation Team to examine the alleged irregularities. Since then, the Court has continued to monitor the progress of the investigation through periodic hearings.
During the latest hearing, the investigating officers of the SIT appeared before the Bench in person. Their submissions were first heard in camera before the Court dictated its order in open court.
