Sabarimala gold loss: Kerala High Court asks retired judge to prepare inventory of valuables

The Kerala High Court on Monday requested former High Court judge Justice KT Sankaran to oversee the conduct of a thorough inventory of all valuables at the Sabarimala temple [Suo Motu v State of Kerala & ors]..A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar passed the order 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 considered view that a comprehensive inventory of all valuables including gold, silver, precious stones, and articles of antiquity, is essential. We therefore deem it appropriate to appoint Sri. Justice K.T. Sankaran, former Judge of this Court, with a request that the learned Judge engage a highly reputed and trustworthy jewel appraiser of proven expertise to conduct a thorough appraisal of all items in the strong room as well as those recorded in the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) Register and the items which have been gold-cladded. The learned Judge may seek any further assistance deemed necessary after a preliminary evaluation of the work, and any such request shall be placed by the Special Commissioner before this Court for appropriate orders. The Travancore Devaswom Board shall provide all facilities and space required to enable this exercise," the Court's order said. .The Court added that the retired judge's inventory report should be kept confidential. "Upon completion of the appraisal, the learned Judge shall submit a report to this Court and shall ensure that strict confidentiality is maintained, making it clear to the appraisers that the results are to remain confidential," it said. .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.It noted TDB's negligent approach in maintaining the records and directed the compilation of a comprehensive, digitized inventory of all temple valuables along with its ascertained values.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."The Officer shall also examine the lapses by Devaswom officials who casually entrusted these priceless items without maintaining requisite registers and other irregularities. The investigation shall be conducted in strict confidence to ensure complete integrity of the process," it said. .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. .The matter will be heard next on October 27. .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..Note: This article has been updated to reflect changes in the court order uploaded later in the day. .[Read Order].[Read Live Coverage]