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Kerala temple scandal deepens as court probes missing gold from idols
A high-profile Hindu temple in southern India faces a growing scandal after the Kerala High Court uncovered evidence that gold plating had been stripped from sacred idols at the Sabarimala shrine, a site visited by millions of pilgrims annually.
The court has established a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the disappearance of approximately 4.54 kilograms of gold, while police have arrested three individuals, including a former assistant priest, in connection with the case.
Court uncovers 'heist' of temple gold
A two-judge bench, overseeing the investigation since September, revealed that two idols of Dwarapalakas-guardian figures positioned outside the temple's inner sanctum-were found to have been stripped of their gold cladding. The judges described the incident as a "heist and plundering of gold," citing temple records, before-and-after photographs, and other evidence gathered by the SIT.
Records indicate that in 1998-99, 30.291 kilograms of gold-donated by disgraced businessman Vijay Mallya-were used to plate the idols and other temple structures. However, in 2019, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the temple, permitted the main suspect, Unnikrishnan Potty, a former assistant priest, to remove the idols for "fresh gold-cladding." When the idols were returned two months later, they were not weighed, and subsequent investigations revealed significant weight loss.
The court criticized the TDB for allowing Potty to retain 474.9 grams of gold after repairs, noting that he later requested permission via email to use the "surplus gold" for the marriage of a girl known to him-a move the judges called "deeply disturbing."
Arrests and political fallout
Potty, now in judicial custody, shouted to reporters after his arrest that he was being "trapped" and vowed the truth would emerge. "Those who trapped me in this will face the law. Everything will be revealed," he said. Two TDB officials have also been arrested, while the board's president, PS Prasanth, claimed the current leadership was not involved but pledged full cooperation with investigators.
The scandal has sparked political tensions in Kerala, with opposition leaders, including Congress's VD Satheesan, demanding the resignation of Temple Affairs Minister VN Vasavan. Satheesan accused temple officials of complicity, stating, "The court has expressed shock and observed that the officials are equally, if not more, culpable." Vasavan denied wrongdoing and reaffirmed cooperation with the probe.
Next steps
The SIT has six weeks to complete its investigation, while the court has vowed to hold all responsible parties accountable, "irrespective of position, influence, or status." The next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Background: A temple no stranger to controversy
The Sabarimala shrine, dedicated to the deity Lord Ayyappa, previously made headlines over its ban on women of menstruating age. Though the Supreme Court ordered an end to the discrimination in 2018, protests led to a review, and the ruling remains suspended.
