Sabarimala ghee scam: First devaswom board employee arrested

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance Department has arrested K. Jayalal, an employee at the Store Superintendent's office, in connection with the diversion and illegal sale of ghee meant for Sabarimala. He is the first Devaswom Board employee to be arrested in the case. His arrest was based on the statement given by S.S. Binu, a transport contractor who was arrested earlier.

The Vigilance investigation found that Jayalal allegedly played a role in preparing fake records to show that the ghee had been delivered to Sabarimala and collecting payment for it. He was produced before the Vigilance Court in Kollam and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. The investigation team informed the court that the accused had conspired with Devaswom officials to carry out the fraud.

Jayalal, an employee of the Panchavadyam section, was assigned to the ghee store office during the pilgrimage season. According to the Vigilance findings, 28 loads of ghee were officially recorded as having been dispatched from Milma's Pathanamthitta Dairy to Sabarimala during the last Makaravilakku season. However, records relating to three of those loads were allegedly altered, and the consignments were diverted to Tamil Nadu.

A total of 11,040 kg of ghee was allegedly sold to two firms in Ottanchathiram, Tamil Nadu — Sri Venkiteswara Traders and Leo Traders. Lower-quality ghee was supplied to Sabarimala in its place, reportedly generating a profit of Rs 50 lakh.

Of this amount, Binu allegedly handed over Rs 15 lakh to Jayalal. The investigation team suspects that other Devaswom Board officials were also involved in the irregularities. Vigilance officials believe that information obtained from Jayalal could help them identify other individuals involved in the alleged racket.

Binu is the fourth accused in the case, while Jayalal is the fifth. Binu was sent to Kollam District Jail, while Jayalal was lodged in the Special Jail in Thiruvananthapuram.