The Kerala High Court questioned the intent behind a plea seeking a CBI probe into the alleged Sabarimala gold misappropriation. A bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar heard the petition filed by Akhila Thantri Pracharak Sabha members.
KERALA: The Kerala High Court questioned the motives behind a petition from members of the Akhila Thantri Pracharak Sabha seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Sabarimala gold misappropriation case.
A Division Bench consisting of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar heard the plea filed by M.S. Sreerajkrishnan Potti, the Chairman, and N. Vishnu Namboothiri, a member of the Sabha.
The petitioners are requesting the transfer of the Sabarimala gold theft investigation from the currently active Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the CBI, asserting that the SIT’s work has been ineffective and politically influenced. However, the Court remarked that the petition seemed aimed at protecting the accused.
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Justice Vijayaraghavan expressed his disappointment over the filing of such petitions, particularly when the High Court has been closely monitoring the case.
He stated,
“Without even understanding what is transpiring, you have raised certain allegations, trying to protect the accused from the crimes. There is no reason why you should file a writ petition at this particular point in time after we have passed 10 orders.”
The Bench observed that the current petition appears to undermine the SIT investigation and provide cover for the accused individuals.
The judges pointed out,
“You are saying that all these persons who are arrayed as accused are all innocent persons. You are saying the Dwarapalakas were not gold-cladded; it was gold-plated,”
Despite these concerns, the Court has agreed to continue hearing the matter and scheduled the plea, along with related cases, for February 4, 2026.
The investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft allegations is being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted following directions from the Kerala High Court. The SIT is examining the role of temple officials, the handling of temple assets, and alleged lapses in accounting and supervision.
The case involves the alleged theft of nearly 4 kg of gold from the Sabarimala temple during repair work on copper coverings of idols and door frames. Unnikrishnan Potti, who carried out the renovations, is the prime accused. Some stolen gold was reportedly recovered from his sister’s house.
The Kerala High Court ordered a Special Investigation Team probe, suspecting involvement of Devaswom officials and possible offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Potti and Travancore Devaswom Board President A Padmakumar have been arrested, while S Sreekumar is named as the sixth accused.
The petition pertains to the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and door frames of the Sreekovil at the Sabarimala temple. The petitioners, who are practicing Thantris and devotees of Lord Ayyappa, recount that after a report from the Special Commissioner for Sabarimala in September 2025 addressed unauthorized gold removals, the High Court established an SIT to investigate.
The crime branch has registered two criminal cases; however, the SIT has reportedly failed to recover the allegedly stolen gold or identify the actual culprits after nearly four months of inquiry, according to the petition.
One of the main concerns raised by the petitioners is the arrest of Sabarimala Thantri, Rajeev Kantararu, who has also been named as an accused. The petitioners allege that the investigating agency is attempting to scapegoat the Thantri while shielding officials from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), who authorized and oversaw the gold removal.
According to them, official records indicate that the TDB permitted the removal of items from the temple for repair and restoration in March 2019, delegating this responsibility to the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti. A mahazar prepared at the time was signed by multiple temple Board officials along with the Thantri.
Despite this, the SIT arrested the Thantri, alleging that he allowed the removal without obtaining ‘Anunja’, a ritual permission, from the deity. The petitioners contend that the Thantri’s role was merely to grant ritual sanction and that he had no administrative control over the temple property.
Additionally, the petitioners claim the SIT is acting under political pressure, pointing out that the TDB and its senior officials have affiliations with the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist).
The plea further alleges that the stolen gold may have been distributed across various states and even internationally, thus justifying an investigation by a central agency like the CBI.
The petition has been filed through Advocates S. Krishnamoorthy S, Sneha Rose, P.S. Aruna, and D. Sreekumar.
Case Title: MS Sreerajkrishnan Potti & anr v Union of India & ors