4.5 Kg Gold Missing from Sabarimala; HC Orders Probe

The Kerala High Court has ordered an investigation into irregularities in the gold plating of the Dwarapalak idols at the Sabarimala Temple. The court found that when the idols returned to the temple after being gold-plated in 2019, they were 4.54 kg short of gold. The court stated that the 4.54 kg shortfall is a matter of concern.

The Kerala High Court has ordered an investigation into irregularities in the gold plating of the Dwarapalak idols at the Sabarimala Temple.

The idols were gold-plated in 2019.
The court found that when the idols returned to the temple after being gold-plated in 2019, they were 4.54 kg short of gold. The court directed the temple's Chief Vigilance and Security Officer to conduct a detailed investigation to determine the missing gold from the idols at the Sabarimala Temple.

A bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar noted that when the plates were removed from the Dwarapalaka statues for fresh gold plating in 2019, they weighed 42.8 kg. However, when weighed at the Chennai-based firm that was assigned the gold plating, the statues were found to be short by approximately 4.54 kg.

The court noted that there was a clear shortfall of 4.54 kg.

The court noted that there was a clear shortfall of 4.54 kg. This was a matter of concern and required a detailed investigation. The court noted that the Dwarapalaka statues were installed in 1999 based on official approval and had a 40-year warranty.

Problems with the statues arose within six years.

However, within just six years, problems arose, necessitating repair work. The controversy erupted in 2019 when the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) sent the gold-plated copper plates of the Dwarapalaka idols for repair and re-gilding.

Notably, the shipment of the idols did not require approval from the Special Commissioner or the court. Considering all the facts, the High Court directed the TDB's Chief Vigilance and Security Officer to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

The court stated that the truth must be revealed.
The court directed the Board to provide all possible cooperation to the Chief Vigilance Officer to ensure compliance with the instructions issued and to uncover the truth of the matter.