Thiruvananthapuram: A decades-old offering of gold to Lord Ayyappa has triggered one of Kerala’s biggest temple controversies in recent memory. The Kerala High Court has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations that a large quantity of gold donated by industrialist Vijay Mallya to the Sabarimala temple nearly three decades ago has gone missing.
The probe, to be completed in six weeks and submitted in a sealed cover, comes amid political uproar, protests, and accusations of a “cover-up” in the management of temple assets.
What sparked the controversy?
The flashpoint came after reports suggested that the gold plating on the Dwarapalaka (guardian) idols at Sabarimala was significantly lighter than expected. The difference in weight raised suspicions that portions of the original gold donation — 30.3 kg of gold and 1,900 kg of copper, gifted by Mallya in 1998 — had been siphoned off or misused.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the temple, admitted to “lapses” in supervision and named nine officials under scrutiny. Among those identified are Deputy Devaswom Commissioner B. Murari Babu, TDB secretary Jayashree, executive officer Sudheesh, administrative officer Sreekumar, and former Thiruvabharanam commissioner K. S. Baiju.
According to TDB’s vigilance wing, procedural violations occurred when the gold-plated sheets were transferred to sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty without mandatory supervision — a process already flagged in a 2019 order.
Government and court step in
The Kerala High Court has directed that the SIT submit its report confidentially within six weeks, warning that the issue concerns both public faith and temple accountability.
Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan has said the state government supports the judicial intervention and that “everyone responsible will be brought to book.” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has echoed the stance, insisting no one will be shielded.
Political firestorm
The Opposition has seized the issue to target the ruling Left government.
Congress general secretary K. C. Venugopal accused the government and the TDB of “hiding the theft” and demanded a CBI or court-monitored probe.
Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan said the SIT must include top TDB officials and the Devaswom minister as accused persons.
The BJP has gone further, calling the alleged theft “daylight robbery.” Union Minister V. Muraleedharan questioned why the Devaswom minister continues in office, claiming the High Court’s remarks show “loss of confidence in the state’s temple administration.”
The Mallya link
Vijay Mallya’s 1998 donation was part of a high-profile temple offering meant to beautify Sabarimala’s sanctum. The industrialist donated 30.3 kg of gold and 1,900 kg of copper, which were used for gold plating temple structures and idols.
More than 25 years later, forensic assessments and internal audits suggest that the gold plating’s current weight does not match the original records, raising fears of systematic diversion or replacement over the years. The current probe aims to trace who handled the gold since the donation and whether it was compromised during transfers or renovations.
Temple and religious voices
Thantri (chief priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru expressed deep anguish over the allegations, saying such lapses hurt the sanctity of the temple.
Former TDB president A. Padmakumar termed the findings “serious” and said he was ready to face any probe, adding that “if anyone, including the sponsor, is guilty, they must be punished.”
