The Kerala High Court on Monday opined that it was high time that a proper, accurate inventory be prepared of all valuables at the Sabarimala temple, which process could be overseen by a retired district judge [Suo Motu v State of Kerala & ors].
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar made the observation in a case involving an alleged loss of gold from gold-plated copper plates that covered the 'Dwarapalaka idols' (door guardian) at the Sabarimala temple.
During today's hearing of the matter, the Court expressed some concerns about gaps found in records maintained by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) of valuables at the temple.
"We are of the view that time has reached, wherein, a more accurate entry is to be made in respect of the valuables and other articles which are presented to the deity by the devotees. We are of the view that, it is high time that a retired district judge is appointed so that with the assistance of a valuer to conduct an appraisal of the items in the strong room and those mentioned in the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) register so that the value of the valuables can be ascertained. We are constrained to issue such directions, as the registers which are maintained with the Devaswom Board does not reveal the handing over of valuable to sponsors also as to whether the same is returned back, its value etc.," the Court said.
The Court is yet to finalise the name of the retired district judge.
The Court was hearing a suo motu case initiated on concerns that some gold was lost after gold-plated copper coverings of the 'Dwarapalaka Idols' at Sabarimala were sent for repair without prior intimation to the Court or the Special Commissioner at Sabarimala.
The TDB had removed the coverings and entrusted them to 'Smart Creations', a Chennai based firm, for repair works under the sponsorship of a devotee named Unnikrishnan Potti.
What concerned the Court, however, were reports indicating that items weighing 42.8 kg was handed over to Potti for delivering to Smart Creations, but that the items handed over to the firm were recorded as weighing only about 38 kgs.
There was a difference of about 4.54 kgs, which the Court took a serious view of.
On September 17, the Court ordered a probe into the matter.
The Chief Vigilance officer today submitted a comprehensive report before the Court.
The report revealed that certain gold-plated pedhams were found concealed in the residence of one Mini, the sister of Unnikrishnan Potti, which were seized by the vigilance team during a search.
The Court found this revelation deeply troubling, particularly since no corresponding entries existed in TDB records or mahazars to show such items were ever formally entrusted to Potti.
The Court proceeded to direct the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police) of the TDB to continue with its probe and to maintain strict secrecy throughout the inquiry.
The investigation must proceed without revealing information even to officers of the Devaswom Board, the Court added.
"We direct the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer to continue the investigation in a diligent and prompt manner and bring to light the discrepancies. While carrying out the investigation, the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer shall also investigate into lapses, if any, on the part of the officers Devaswom," it ordered.
Notably, the vigilance report also pointed at the serious discrepancies in TDB registers, including missing entries in the Thiruvabharanam diary and inconsistent documentation of gold ornaments offered by the devotees and missing records on the removal of such ornaments and valuables for repair works etc.
Noting that the TDB registers lacked accuracy, the Court stressed the need for proper accounting of all valuables kept in the strong room of the temple.
It, therefore, proposed that a retired district judge could carry out this process of preparing an inventory, with the help of a valuer.
The judge entrusted with this task could prepare a complete inventory of valuables at the temple, recording the quantity, quality and value of each items, ensuring the records accurately reflect the temple assets, the High Court suggested.
The Court also permitted the reinstallation of repaired gold-plated coverings on the Dwarapalaka idols.
Originally installed in 1999, the gold plates were replaced in 2019 with a 40 year warranty. However, defects in the plates appeared within six years, prompting the repair works which are related to the case now being considered by the High Court.
Senior government pleader S Rajmohan appeared for the State.
Standing counsel G Biju represented the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Advocate Sayujya Radhakrishnan appeared as an amicus curiae for the Sabarimala Special Commissioner.
Advocates R Sudhish and M Manju represented Unnikrishnan Potti.
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