The Kerala High Court has ordered a vigilance inquiry into a major controversy at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala after over four kilograms of gold were found missing from copper plates covering the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols. The court’s intervention follows revelations that the weight of the plates, when sent for re-plating in 2019, had dropped significantly from official records.
According to documents, the plates originally weighed 42.8 kilograms. However, by the time they reached the Chennai-based firm Smart Creations for re-plating, their weight had fallen to 38.25 kilograms. After fresh gold-plating, the weight rose only slightly to 38.65 kilograms, still over four kilograms less than the original. (4 kg gold costs approximately Rs 4.37 crore today)
Court notes ‘grave irregularities’
A division bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar expressed serious concern, describing the irregularities as “of the gravest order”. The judges pointed out that the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which administers the shrine, had failed to report the discrepancy when the plates were handed over.
The bench directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, a Superintendent of Police, to conduct a comprehensive investigation and submit a detailed report within three weeks. The TDB was ordered to extend its full cooperation.
“The truth of the matter must be brought to light,” the court observed.
How the controversy began?
The dispute traces back to 2019, when the TDB removed the gold-plated copper plates for repairs without informing the temple’s Special Commissioner or the court. The plates were entrusted to Smart Creations under the sponsorship of devotee Unnikrishnan Potti.
Records show that items weighing 42.8 kilograms were handed to Potti for delivery. Yet a subsequent mahazhar (official report) in August 2019 recorded only 38.25 kilograms as received by the Chennai firm. Even after re-plating, the discrepancy persisted.
The court highlighted that the Dwarapalaka idols, installed in 1999, had undergone re-plating in 2019 with a warranty of 40 years. Yet defects surfaced within just six years, prompting the latest round of repairs.
Sponsor’s claim adds to confusion
The sponsor, Potti, has claimed that not only was gold weight missing but the pedestal of the idol coverings was also unaccounted for. Both he and Smart Creations have offered explanations, but the court described them as inadequate and unsatisfactory.
Vigilance probe ordered
Given the glaring lapses in procedure, discrepancies in records, and reduction in weight, the court concluded that only a thorough probe could uncover the truth. It instructed that all registers and records be handed over to vigilance officers for detailed examination.