Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has moved the Kerala High Court seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged disappearance of 4.5 kg of gold from Sabarimala’s Dwarapalaka idols, citing serious lapses by the Travancore Devaswom Board.
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KERALA: Union Minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar has approached the Kerala High Court demanding that the ongoing probe into the alleged disappearance of gold plates from the Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala temple be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The petition argues that only an independent, central investigation can bring transparency to what is being described as a serious breach in temple asset management.
A Division Bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar examined the petition on Monday. While the registry reported filing defects, the Court permitted the petitioners to correct them and posted the matter for December 9.
The Bench is already overseeing a suo motu investigation related to missing gold from Sabarimala and has previously:
- Established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Kerala Police, and
- Tasked a retired judge to conduct an internal inquiry.
Chandrasekhar and his co-petitioners, described as Lord Ayyappa devotees, have raised concerns over what they call systemic negligence by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the Sabarimala temple.
The dispute centers around gold-covered plates donated decades ago to embellish the Dwarapalaka idols and parts of the Sreekovil structure. Those coverings were removed in 2019 for repair work, but official records reportedly described them only as copper sheets, creating alarm among devotees.
Fresh controversy emerged in 2025 when the plates were again taken away for restoration work. According to the petition:
- The TDB handed the gold-plated plates to a devotee, Unnikrishnan Potti, without Court approval.
- The plates were then sent to a Chennai-based company, Smart Creations.
- Of the 42.8 kg of material reportedly transported, only about 38 kg was returned — leaving nearly 4.5 kg unaccounted for.
After reviewing early SIT findings in the suo motu case, the High Court noted prima facie evidence of administrative lapses and potential offences punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The petitioners contend that the alleged misconduct implicates present and former officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board.
They argue that the SIT, being run under the state police, may face conflict-of-interest issues because some persons involved are said to have political affiliations with Kerala’s ruling party. The petition also suggests that an interstate probe may be necessary, claiming the missing gold could have been transported outside Kerala.
The petition seeks:
- Public release of the audit findings for transparency
- Transfer of the investigation to the CBI
- A 10-year audit of TDB accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
Appearance:
For the petitioners: Advocate Gokul Krishna
Click Here to Read More Reports On Sabarimala Gold Theft Case
