The Kerala High Court on Tuesday gave the police four months to complete its investigation into allegations that a private individual solicited funds from the public without authorisation for the installation of a Lord Ayyappa idol at the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple [Suo motu v State of Kerala & Ors].
A Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakuma issued the direction while closing a suo motu case initiated in the matter in July this year.
In its order, the Court also took note of the submission that the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) had recalled permission it had earlier granted to the individual who solicited the funds, namely Sahadevan, to install the 'Panchaloha Vigraham' (five-precious-metal idol) of Lord Ayyappa. In response, Sahadevan had also agreed to halt the project for now, the Court noted.
"In that view of the matter, we find no reasons to keep this file pending," the Court said.
It proceeded to close the suo motu case with certain directions, including that the police should continue its investigation and complete the same within four months.
"The investigation of Crime No.253/2025 of Pamba Police Station registered under Section 318(4) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, shall be completed as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of four months from the date of receipt of the certified copy of this judgment," the order said.
Among other directions, the Court also ordered that the funds seized by the police in connection with this case, which came to around ₹6 lakhs, must be produced before the magistrate for proper handling of the amount as per the law.
"The amount seized by the Police shall be produced before the jurisdictional Court, which Court shall deal with the same in accordance with law.", the Court added.
The matter arose from a report by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner regarding the permission granted by the TDB to Dr EK Sahadevan, the Chairman of Lotus Multi Speciality Hospital, for installing a 2 foot tall, 150 kg idol at Sabarimala.
After receiving the permission, Sahadevan circulated pamphlets seeking public donations for the installation, providing a bank account number, QR code, and mobile number.
He claimed that both the TDB and the State government had approved the project.
The Court, however, questioned how public funds were allowed to be solicited in this manner and pulled up TDB for its inaction.
It directed the Chief Police Coordinator, Sabarimala, to ensure that a criminal case is registered and that any collected funds are not withdrawn.
The police registered a crime under Section 318(4) (cheating by dishonestly inducing a person to deliver property, or to make, alter, or destroy a valuable security) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. It also told the Court that a total of ₹6.14 lakhs was deposited to the account of the Rotary Freedom India Trust in connection with the proposed idol installation.
However, since the project has now been halted, the Court closed the suo motu case, while directing that the criminal proceedings already initiated should reach its logical conclusion.
"The jurisdictional magistrate on receipt of the report under Section 193 (charge sheet/ police report on completion of investigation) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita shall proceed with the matter in accordance with law," the Court said.
Advocate Sayujya Radhakrishnan appeared as an Amicus Curiae.
Senior government pleader S Rajmohan appeared for the State.
The TDB was represented by its standing counsel G Biju.
[Read Judgment]