High Court orders immediate return of gold-plated sheets; show cause filed against three including Devaswom Commissioner

KOCHI: The High Court has directed that the gold-plated sheets removed from the Dwarapalaka sculptures in front of the Sabarimala shrine and taken to Chennai for repair should be returned immediately. The action of the Devaswom Board without the prior permission of the Sabarimala Special Commissioner and the High Court is improper. The direction was given by a division bench comprising Justice V Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice KV Jayakumar.

The court directed Chennai-based Smart Creations Agency and sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty to stop the repairs. There was a violation of the order issued earlier regarding the repairs of the mudramala, rosary and Yoga Danda on the Ayyappa idol. Notices were sent to the Travancore Devaswom Commissioner, Sabarimala Executive Officer, Thiruvabharanam Commissioner, etc. to show cause if there is any reason not to take action. The files and documents of the decision to send the gold panels for repairs should be produced on Friday.

The board argued that the action was based on a letter sent by the Thantri in 2023 requesting that the damage to the sculptures be repaired. These panels of sculptures on either side of the shrine are gold-plated over a copper covering. This was submitted by the same Chennai-based agency and sponsor in 2019. The panels were transported in compliance with the rules and safety standards. The Mahasar was prepared. The board said that it had informed the Special Commissioner on the 8th over the phone and then through a letter.

However, the court expressed dissatisfaction over the gold-plated sheets being moved without informing the Sabarimala Special Commissioner in advance and without giving time for the matter to reach the court. “It was already directed that the maintenance of valuable items should be carried out under strict supervision within the temple premises. Informing in advance gives the Special Commissioner an opportunity to ensure that the items are not misused or lost,” the interim order clarified.

Warranty 40 years; repair in sixth year!

The gold-plated sheets manufactured in 2019 had a warranty of 40 years. The High Court said that the purpose of taking them back to the place of manufacture after six years was not clear. In that case, the door panels and lintels related to this in the shrine also need to be repaired. Taking only the sheets of the Dwarapalaka sculpture is unnecessary and irregular. It was also criticized that the Devaswom Commissioner and the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner had deliberately violated the previous order in the Mudramala case.

Gold required for fresh plating: 303 grams

Secrecy, violation of tradition

• There were allegations of secrecy in the proceedings. Sheets were taken on the night of September 7. The Executive Officer submitted the report to the Special Commissioner on the evening of the 8th

• The Administrative Officer, Asst. Executive Officer, Thiruvabharanam Commissioner, Devaswom VGSI, two policemen, a goldsmith, and a representative of the sponsor are accompanying

• It is indicated that the sheets were removed after receiving the permission of the Thantri, but permission was not given to take them out. These are part of the temple body. The repairs should be carried out in the Sannidhanam.