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The Kerala High Court on Friday ordered the seizure of all documents relating to the gold-plating and cladding of the idols, including details of a “former pair” of Dwarapalaka idols.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV. Jayakumar, directed the Chief Vigilance Security officer to seize all documents related to the gold-plating and cladding of the idols, including details of a “former pair” of Dwarapalaka idols. The court has directed that all documents, including the register from the time the shrine, Dwarpalaka sculpture, lintel, arch, etc were gold plated, be seized.
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The Division Bench on Friday, while hearing Sabarimala Special Commissioner Report, took strong exception to the removal of gold-plated copper coverings from the “Dwarapalaka” idols at Sabarimala without prior intimation to the Special Commissioner. The court expressed concern over the manner in which the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) proceeded with repair works in Chennai, bypassing established procedures and court orders.
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Sabarimala Special Commissioner Report revealed that the gold-plated coverings, guaranteed for 40 years after being installed in 2019, developed defects within six years. The TDB, with sponsorship from devotee Unnikrishnan Potty, sent the items to Smart Creations, a Chennai-based concern, for electroplating.The Court noted that this was done without informing the Special Commissioner, a lapse for which the TDB tendered an unconditional apology.
The Court in its earlier order had directed an immediate halt to the ongoing repairs at Smart Creations and directed that the items be re-transported to Sabarimala Sannidhanam. It was submitted before the Court that repair works commenced on 09.09.2025 and the lacquer coating of the 12 items were removed, and some of them were polished. It was also submitted that due to the technical and practical constraints, transportation of the gold, which is in liquid form, kept in cyanide solution, is risky and likely to cause loss of gold.
The Court also suo motu impleaded both Unnikrishnan Potty and Smart Creations as additional respondents, requiring them to furnish all financial and communication records linked to the repairs and sponsorships.
Earlier on Wednesday, the High Court had strongly criticized the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) for detaching the gold-plated sheets on Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala temple entrance without the court’s approval.
The Devaswom bench of the High Court on Wednesday in an interim order directed the Devaswom Board to return the gold-plated sheets on Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala temple entrance, which were taken to Chennai for repair work.
Special Commissioner R. Jayakrishnan on Monday Informed the Kerala High Court that the gold-plated sheets on the Dwarapalaka idols at the temple entrance have been detached without the court’s approval.In his report to the High court, Special Commissioner R. Jayakrishnan pointed out that such work was usually carried out
within the temple premises and only after obtaining explicit approval from the court.
The High Court Devaswom bench had earlier directed that gold work in the Sannidhanam should be carried out only with the permission of the court.
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