Kochi: In a blow to the CPM ruled Sabarimala temple in Kerala, the Kerala High Court has ordered a comprehensive inventory and appraisal of valuables at the Sabarimala temple after detecting serious irregularities, media reports said.
A division bench passed the order while hearing suo motu proceedings based on a report filed by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner.
The gold cladding of the Dwarapalaka
(guard) idols and their pedestal removed without the knowledge of the Special Commissioner.
A Vigilance probe by Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) probe ordered by the High Court exposed TDB breached laws while handing over the gold coverings to an individual, Unnikrishnan Potty in 2019.
According to the rule book, such repairs were to be carried out strictly within the Sannidhanam premises.
Records established that the idols were first gold-plated in 1999 with the Board’s sanction.
Temple records showed that the items entrusted in July 2019 weighed 4.541 kilograms less when it was restored in September 2019.
Sabarimala managers in soup
