Kerala High Court Seeks Records On Removal Of Gold Coverings From Sabarimala Idols, Says Temple Must Safeguard Deity's Property
Anamika MJ
12 Sept 2025 5:15 PM IST
The Kerala High Court on Friday took strong exception to the removal of gold-plated copper coverings from the “Dwarapalaka” idols at Sabarimala without prior intimation to the Special Commissioner.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, while hearing Sabarimala Special Commissioner Report, expressed concern over the manner in which the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) proceeded with repair works in Chennai, bypassing established procedures and court oversight.
The report revealed that the gold-plated coverings, guaranteed for 40 years after being installed in 2019, developed defects within six years. The TDB, with sponsorship from devotee Mr. Unnikrishnan Potty, sent the items to Smart Creations, a Chennai-based concern, for electroplating. The Court noted that this was done without informing the Special Commissioner, a lapse for which the TDB tendered an unconditional apology.
The Court in its earlier order had directed an immediate halt to the ongoing repairs at Smart Creations and directed that the items be re-transported to Sabarimala Sannidhanam.
It was submitted before the Court that repair works commenced on 09.09.2025 and the lacquer coating of the 12 items were removed, and some of them were polished. It was also submitted that due to the technical and practical constraints, transportation of the gold, which is in liquid form, kept in cyanide solution, is risky and likely to cause loss of gold.
The Court observed multiple inconsistencies in the decision-making process. Notably, the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner initially recommended traditional gold cladding using 303 grams of gold (costing around ₹31 lakhs) but reversed his stance after discussions with the sponsor, opting instead for electroplating in Chennai. This, the Court pointed out, violated the TDB Sub Group Manual, which requires such works to be carried out at Sannidhanam itself.
The Court stressed the duty of temple trustees/ archakas/ shebaits/ employees to safeguard temple properties, citing the Supreme Court's ruling in A.A. Gopalakrishnan v. Cochin Devaswom Board [2007 INSC 764], and underscored the need for vigilance to prevent misuse or misappropriation of sacred assets.
The Court also mandated seizure of all records relating to the gold-plating and cladding of the idols, including details of a “former pair” of Dwarapalaka idols reportedly kept in the strong room for possible gold extraction
Further, the Court suo motu impleaded both Mr. Potty and Smart Creations as additional respondents, requiring them to furnish all financial and communication records linked to the repairs and sponsorships.
Urgent notices were directed to be issued to the sponsor and Smart Creations, requiring full disclosure of all records, while the Chief Vigilance & Security Officer of TDB was tasked with seizing and producing relevant files concerning gold-plating/gold-cladding of the Dwarapalakas, the door lintel, the door panel, the Lakshmi Roopam and Kamanam before the Court without delay.
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: SSCR No. 23 of 2025