A major scandal has erupted at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, India, where approximately 4.54 kilograms of gold cladding has been stolen from sacred idols, triggering a court-monitored investigation and political unrest. The Kerala High Court revealed evidence that gold was stripped from two idols of Dwarapalakas, the door guards outside the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, describing the case as an “extraordinary pilferage” of religious valuables.
The court took up the matter in September after a report by a court-appointed special commissioner indicated that the idols had been stripped of their gold-cladding in multiple areas. A two-judge bench has been holding regular hearings since then, with the next session scheduled for Wednesday, and has established a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the disappearance. Police have launched an inquiry, resulting in the arrest of three individuals, including a former assistant temple priest, as part of the ongoing efforts to uncover the truth.
Investigations trace the theft back to 2019, when the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the temple, permitted Unnikrishnan Potty, a former assistant priest, to remove the idols for gold-cladding repairs. Temple records show that 30.291 kilograms of gold, donated by disgraced billionaire Vijay Mallya in 1998-99, was originally used for cladding the idols, pillars, door arches, and other temple elements. When the idols were returned two months later, they were not weighed, but subsequent examinations revealed they were significantly lighter, indicating the removal of gold over time.
The court noted the highly unusual nature of allowing the idols to be taken out of the temple for repairs, as such work is typically conducted on-site. Judges also criticized the board for recording the gold-clad items as “copper plates” during the handover and for wrongfully permitting Potty to retain approximately 474.9 grams of “surplus gold.” In a disturbing email, Potty sought permission to use this gold for a personal matter, which the court said exposed the extent of impropriety involved in the case.
Unnikrishnan Potty, now in judicial custody, shouted to reporters after his arrest that he was being “trapped” and asserted that the truth would emerge. In recent days, police have arrested two additional board officials, while the TDB president, PS Prasanth, who is under investigation, has stated that the current board is not involved and is fully cooperating with the inquiry. The SIT has been given six weeks to complete its investigation, with the court vowing to hold all culprits accountable regardless of their position or influence.
The scandal has sparked a political row in Kerala, with opposition parties, led by the Congress, staging protests against the state’s Communist government. VD Satheesan, the opposition leader, emphasized that about 5 kilograms of gold was stolen and accused officials of being equally culpable. Protesters have demanded the resignation of Temple Affairs Minister VN Vasavan, holding him responsible for the failure to protect the temple’s assets. Vasavan has denied the allegations and rejected calls for his resignation, pledging full cooperation with the court-monitored investigation.
Sabarimala temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, is one of India’s most revered Hindu shrines, drawing millions of pilgrims annually. It has previously faced controversy over its ban on women of menstruating age, a practice challenged in the Supreme Court, which ordered an end to the discrimination but later put the ruling on hold after widespread protests. This gold theft case adds to the temple’s troubled history and raises broader questions about the management and security of religious institutions in India.
As the investigation progresses, the next court hearing on Wednesday is expected to address further developments, including the examination of the money trail and additional evidence. The SIT’s findings could lead to recoveries of the stolen gold and ensure justice, potentially influencing temple governance reforms and highlighting the need for greater transparency in handling devotees’ donations across the country.