Kerala HC orders probe into loss of gold from Sabarimala Dwarapalaka idols

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered a detailed investigation into the alleged discrepancies in the weight of the gold in the Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala temple.

The court directed the chief vigilance and Security officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to conduct a thorough investigation into the loss of weight of gold and submit a report within three weeks.

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The Devaswom bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar issued the directions while considering a report of the Special Commissioner raising concerns over the removal of the gold-plated copper coverings of the ‘Dwarapalaka Idols’ for repair works without prior intimation.

The alleged loss of weight of gold came to light during the court’s intervention while considering a suo motu petition initiated on the basis of a report of the Special Commissioner stating that the gold platings from the idols were removed without prior intimation to it.

The Court noted that there was a significant difference of about 4.54 kgs in weight of the gold-plated coverings between the initial handover and after it was received by Smart Creations and observed that the explanations given by Smart Creations and Unnikrishnan Potti regarding the discrepancies were inadequate and unsatisfactory. It also asked why the idols’ weight was not checked in 2019 prior to their reinstallation at the temple.

When the plates were brought back and reinstalled at the Sannidhanam, why was the weight not checked again? If it were petrol, one could expect a reduction. But isn’t this gold?” the bench asked.

The court further ordered the board to ascertain whether the pedestals of the idols have been kept securely in the strong room.

The idols had been sent by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to Smart Creations (8th respondent) for electroplating, with financial sponsorship from devotee Unnikrishnan Potty (7th respondent).

“We are of the view that the reduction in the weight of the gold cladded copper plates, the handing over of the same to the 7th respondent, the delay in production before the 8th respondent, and the description of the plates as merely ‘copper plates’ instead of ‘gold cladded copper plates’ in the 2017 mahazar all call for a proper and detailed inquiry at the hands of the Vigilance and Security Officer,” the court said

It further directed that registers produced before it by the 5th respondent be returned for proper investigation, while directing the Travancore Devaswom Board(TDB) to extend full cooperation. The Bench stressed that the truth of the matter must be brought to light through transparent inquiry.

The controversy began when the TDB removed the gold plated copper plates covering the ‘Dwarapalaka idols’ without prior intimation or approval from the Special Commissioner or the court for repair and electroplating. The plates were entrusted to ‘Smart Creations’, a Chennai based firm, for repair works under the sponsorship of a devotee named Unnikrishnan Potti.

The court had earlier directed the TDB to bring back the gold platings removed but later permitted the continuation of the repair works. It had suo motu impleaded Unnikrishnan Potty and Smart Creations and had sought production of all records relating to the repair works. It had also directed Superintendent of Police, the Chief Vigilance and the Security Officer to seize the entire records concerning the gold-plating/gold-cladding of the Dwarapalakas, the door lintel, the door panel, the Lakshmi Roopam and Kamanam, commencing from the date of the original cladding.