The Kerala High Court on Monday pulled up the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) over serious lapses in maintaining records of temple valuables at the revered Sabarimala temple in Kerala.
The court was hearing a suo motu case initiated over concerns regarding the mysterious disappearance of gold after the 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 division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar on Monday strongly criticized the Travancore Devaswom Board(TDB) for failing to maintain proper registers of temple valuables.
The court noted that the lapses in record-keeping have enabled irregularities and concealment of temple property.
The Court pointed out that the TDB register lacked proper documentation, including entries in the Thiruvabharanam diary, inconsistencies in recording gold ornaments offered by devotees, and missing records on items sent for repair.
The court said that it is high time that a proper, accurate inventory be prepared of all valuables at the Sabarimala temple, which will be overseen by a retired district judge
“We are of the view that time has reached, wherein, a more accurate entry is to be made in respect of the valuables and other articles which are presented to the deity by the devotees. We are of the view that, it is high time that a retired district judge is appointed so that with the assistance of a valuer to conduct an appraisal of the items in the strong room and those mentioned in the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments) register so that the value of the valuables can be ascertained,” the court said.
“We are constrained to issue such directions, as the registers which are maintained with the Devaswom Board do not reveal the handing over of valuables to sponsors also as to whether the same is returned back, its value etc.,” the court said.
The Chief Vigilance officer on Monday submitted a comprehensive report before the court, which 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.The court further directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer 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.
“We direct the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer to continue the investigation in a diligent and prompt manner and bring to light the discrepancies. While carrying out the investigation, the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer shall also investigate into lapses, if any, on the part of the officers of Devaswom, as we find that the items have been entrusted to the seventh respondent in a very casual manner and none of the registers are maintained in so far as the same is concerned.” the court said.