“ ‘Casual, Negligent’: Kerala HC Pulls Up TDB Over Missing Gold at Sabarimala”, Law Beat, October 01, 2025

“The Kerala High Court has ordered a comprehensive inventory and appraisal of valuables at the Sabarimala Sreekovil after uncovering serious irregularities in the handling of gold-plated idols and Peedams.

The bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar passed the order on September 29, 2025, while hearing suo motu proceedings based on a report filed by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner.

The proceedings were triggered by revelations that the gold cladding of the Dwarapalaka idols and their Peedams had been removed without the knowledge of the Special Commissioner. Investigations showed that the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) had, in violation of its own procedures, handed over the gold coverings directly to a private individual, Mr. Unnikrishnan Potty (7th respondent), in 2019. According to the Sub-Group Manual, such repairs were to be carried out strictly within the Sannidhanam premises…..”

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