Kerala HC Expresses Dissatisfaction Over Slow Progress in Sabarimala Gold Scam Probe
Kerala High Court questions selective targeting in temple theft case.
The Kerala High Court on Friday, December 20, 2025, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the apparent lack of progress in the investigation into the Sabarimala gold scam, highlighting what it described as serious stagnation in the Special Investigation Team's efforts since early December. Justice A Badharudeen criticized the SIT for selectively arraigning certain members of the Travancore Devaswom Board while sparing others who had signed critical documents facilitating the misappropriation.
The court pointed out that a pivotal 2019 board notice, authorizing prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti to remove temple items described as copper-clad for gold plating, bore signatures from then TDB president A Padmakumar, members advocate N Vijayakumar and K P Sankar Das, and former secretary S Jayasree. Despite their involvement, the prosecution admitted that Vijayakumar and Sankar Das have neither been arraigned nor arrested, raising questions about discriminatory treatment in the probe.
Observing that the investigation appeared to lose momentum after December 5, the court directed the investigating officer to pursue action against all erring officials without favoritism or selective targeting. It emphasized the need to verify whether other named individuals in the FIR, including former PWD assistant engineer K Sunil Kumar and various administrative officers, have been properly held accountable through arrests and charges.
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The remarks came while dismissing bail applications from three former officials—K S Baiju, B Murari Babu, and N Vasu—accused of facilitating Potti's alleged theft of valuable gold meant for the deity. The court reiterated earlier concerns that such large-scale misappropriation could only occur with the connivance of influential figures in temple administration, underscoring the gravity of the allegations.
Stressing that no further lapses should occur, the bench expressed hope that the SIT would intensify efforts to identify and prosecute all involved parties comprehensively, ensuring justice in a case involving the sacred assets of one of Kerala's most revered pilgrimage sites.
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