Highlighting how a routine investigation revealed prima facie indicators of organised pilferage and misappropriation of sacred temple valuables, the Kerala High Court has held that a detailed enquiry into the Ashtadikpalaka idols at Sabarimala has become inevitable, and additional witnesses are required to be examined. The High Court has also called for a status report detailing subsequent developments.

The High Court rendered such findings while dealing with a matter relating to the heist and plundering of gold from the gold-clad dwarapalakas placed on either side of the Sreekovil, Sabarimala.

The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K. V. Jayakumar stated, “What initially appeared to be routine administrative actions undertaken in purported good faith and in the ostensible interest of the deity has, upon closer scrutiny, opened a Pandora’s box and revealed prima facie indicators of organised pilferage and misappropriation of sacred temple valuables, allegedly facilitated with the active connivance and encouragement of individuals who were entrusted with the solemn duty of safeguarding the assets and valuables of the deity.”

“Having regard to the gravity of the allegations, the scale and complexity of the suspected offence, and the public trust reposed in temple administration and custodianship of sacred assets, we reiterate our direction to the Investigating Officer and the Special Investigation Team to proceed with utmost diligence, professionalism and investigative rigour, and to conduct a thorough, impartial and comprehensive investigation, leaving no stone unturned in unearthing all facets of the alleged criminal acts”, the order read.

Senior Advocate S.Sreekumar represented the Respondent.

Factual Background

The SIT had placed before the Court a comprehensive progress report relating to the crimes in question and explained the present stage of investigation, the steps already undertaken, and the course of action proposed in the immediate future. It was brought to the Court’s notice that, in strict compliance with the directions issued by this Court, the Special Investigation Team collected samples from various gold plates and the same were forwarded for analysis to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). The scientific examination report was also submitted before the jurisdictional court.

Reasoning & Findings

The Bench noted that the absence of nickel and acrylic polymer layers in the original gold-clad plates, the presence of nickel, the absence of mercury and the presence of acrylic polymer layers in the subsequently plated copper plates, together with the comparative thickness of the gold and nickel layers, indicated a systematic and methodical process by which the alleged offence appears to have been executed.

“These analysis reports not only disclose the manner and modus operandi of the alleged tampering and substitution, but also provide critical evidentiary pointers for correlating past transactions with subsequent activities. The analysis report, therefore, assumes central importance in the investigation as it sheds light on multiple technical and material aspects and furnishes a scientific basis for evaluating the transactions carried out during the years 2024 and 2025, identifying the chain of decision-making, fixing individual responsibility and criminal liability, and examining the existence of any organised or concerted action amounting to criminal conspiracy”, it stated.

The Bench directed the Special Investigation Team to expeditiously record detailed statements of the scientific experts, analysts and technical personnel of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and to comprehensively decode and correlate the analytical findings with the physical and documentary evidence already seized. “The analysis report received from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has shed considerable light on various technical and material aspects of the alleged offence and has provided crucial scientific indicators which would guide the course of investigation relating to the transactions carried out during the years 2024 and 2025”, it held.

The Bench was of the view that the materials placed before the Court disclosed suspicious and disturbing circumstances surrounding the transactions under scrutiny, warranting a deeper, more comprehensive and exhaustive investigation in the light of the scientific findings and other consequential revelations that have emerged. “Though, on the surface, owing to the ingenious modus operandi adopted and the laxity in administrative oversight, the procedures appeared to have been carried out in conformity with established norms, a more careful and critical examination has brought to light serious institutional lapses, gross mismanagement and possible complicity, which may have enabled the systematic and sustained siphoning of temple assets”, it stated.

The investigation was initially confined to issues relating to the Dwarapalaka idols. However, the Bench noted that as the enquiry progressed and scientific, documentary and material evidence were systematically collected and analysed, the scope of investigation expanded substantially, necessitating a detailed examination of multiple aspects of temple administration and related transactions spanning more than two decades. “What commenced as a limited probe has, in the course of investigation, uncovered multiple layers of irregularities and revealed a chain of transactions and administrative decisions which, prima facie, indicate that the matter is not confined to isolated or sporadic acts, but points towards a wider and more entrenched pattern of misconduct”, it added.

The Special Investigation Team proposed to visit Sabarimala to measure the surface area of two doors presently kept in the storeroom for the purpose of calculating the quantum of gold clad on the door frames and Prabhamandalam plates. As the temple remains closed after the pilgrimage season, the Bench granted permission to the Special Investigation Team to collect samples from the gold-cladded plates of the doors and to carry out necessary measurements and assessments for quantifying the gold content.

Showing satisfaction to the investigation carried out thus far, the Bench posted the matter on February 9, 2026.

Cause Title: Suo Motu v. The State Of Kerala (Case No.: WP(C) NO. 40608 OF 2025(A))

Appearance

Respondent: Senior Advocate S.Sreekumar, Government Pleader, Standing Counsel G. Biju

Click here to read/download Order





Kerala High CourtJustice Raja Vijayraghavan VJustice K.V. Jayakumar

Tulip Kanth

Assistant Editor

Tulip Kanth is an Assistant Editor at Verdictum having over 5 years of experience in the field of legal journalism and editing. She extensively covers judgments of the Supreme Court, High Courts as well as Tribunals. She has previously worked with a legal publishing website where she oversaw the work of other editors and has also created updates on notifications of different Government Ministries. She holds an English Honours Degree from SGTB Khalsa College, Delhi University and has completed her LLB course with specialisation in Corporate Law from Amity University.