Kerala High Court directs police to finish investigation into unauthorised fundraising for Lord Ayyappa idol at Sabarimala within four months. Rs 6 lakh seized from public donations to be handled by the magistrate as per law.
Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the police to complete their investigation within four months into allegations that a private individual collected funds from the public without proper authorization for installing a Lord Ayyappa idol at the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple.
A Division Bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakuma issued the direction while closing a suo motu case that the Court had initiated in July this year concerning the fund collection for the idol installation.
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The Court noted the submissions regarding the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) revoking the permission earlier granted to the individual, Dr EK Sahadevan, for installing the ‘Panchaloha Vigraham’ (idol made of five precious metals) of Lord Ayyappa.
In response to the revocation, Sahadevan agreed to halt the project temporarily.
The Court observed,
“In that view of the matter, we find no reasons to keep this file pending.”
As part of its order, the High Court directed the police to continue their investigation and complete it within a four-month timeframe.
The Court stated,
“The investigation of Crime No.253/2025 of Pamba Police Station registered under Section 318(4) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, shall be completed as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of four months from the date of receipt of the certified copy of this judgment.”
The Court also addressed the handling of the funds seized during the investigation. The police had seized approximately Rs 6 lakhs in connection with the case.
The High Court ordered,
“The amount seized by the Police shall be produced before the jurisdictional Court, which Court shall deal with the same in accordance with law.”
The issue came to light following a report by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner regarding the permission granted by the TDB to Dr EK Sahadevan, who is the Chairman of Lotus Multi Speciality Hospital, for installing a 2-foot tall, 150 kg idol at Sabarimala.
After receiving the permission, Sahadevan circulated pamphlets seeking public donations for the installation, including details like a bank account number, QR code, and mobile number. He claimed that both the TDB and the State government had approved the project.
The Court raised concerns over how public funds were allowed to be collected in this manner and criticised the TDB for its inaction.
It directed the Chief Police Coordinator, Sabarimala, to ensure that a criminal case is registered and that any collected funds are not withdrawn.
The police registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which deals with
“cheating by dishonestly inducing a person to deliver property, or to make, alter, or destroy a valuable security.”
During proceedings, it was revealed that a total of Rs 6.14 lakhs had been deposited to the account of the Rotary Freedom India Trust in connection with the proposed idol installation.
However, since the project has now been stopped, the Court closed the suo motu case, while emphasising that the criminal proceedings already initiated should continue until their logical conclusion.
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The Bench stated,
“The jurisdictional magistrate on receipt of the report under Section 193 (charge sheet/ police report on completion of investigation) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita shall proceed with the matter in accordance with law.”
Advocate Sayujya Radhakrishnan appeared as an Amicus Curiae in the case. Senior government pleader S Rajmohan represented the State, while the TDB was represented by its standing counsel G Biju.
This order by the Kerala High Court underscores the importance of legal compliance and oversight in the collection of public funds for religious projects and reinforces accountability for unauthorised solicitations.
Case Title:
Suo motu v State of Kerala & Ors
Read Order:
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