Sabarimala gold plating row: SIT flags procedural lapses, recommends vigilance probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the gold-plating of idols at the Sabarimala temple has recommended a Vigilance inquiry into alleged procedural lapses during the tenure of former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President P.S. Prasanth. In a report submitted to the Kerala High Court, the SIT clarified that while no gold was found missing, mandatory statutory protocols were bypassed during the process.

The issue pertains to the transport of the temple's Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) sculptures to Chennai for a second round of gold plating. According to the SIT, established Devaswom regulations were flouted when permission was granted to move the sacred idols outside the temple premises. The team has called for a detailed investigation into whether existing rules permit the transit of these idols—even under security escort—and whether officials intentionally failed to brief the Special Commissioner regarding the move.

The Kerala High Court is expected to pass its directives once the final verification report arrives from a testing laboratory in Jamshedpur, ensuring absolute confirmation that no gold was misappropriated.

Meanwhile, former TDB President P.S. Prasanth maintained that the entire operation was transparent. In his statement to the investigators, Prasanth asserted that the gold was transported in a secure vehicle under the direct supervision of the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner and the Devaswom Vigilance and Security Wing. He added that the entire process—from the removal of the sculptures from the Sannidhanam to their reinstallation—was meticulously documented through official mahazar (inventory) logs and continuous videography. While the SIT verified the existence of these records, it maintained that the operational deviations warrant a formal Vigilance probe.