Daily wage workers diverted lakhs from Sabarimala; Devaswom Vigilance begins comprehensive investigation

SABARIMALA/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It has been found that daily wage workers at Sabarimala, including temple assistants (Shanthikkars), sent lakhs of rupees from Sannidhanam to their relatives through banks and post offices.

According to the findings, each person was sending between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000 every week. More than 100 people are believed to have transferred money in this manner.

The issue came to light amid controversies over alleged irregularities at Sabarimala. The bank and post office at Sannidhanam informed the Devaswom Vigilance about the unusual transactions. The investigation began during the Makaravilakku season. Some Devaswom employees were also found to have sent money in this way.

The Devaswom Vigilance has started examining the bank accounts of all daily wage workers. It will submit a detailed report to the Devaswom Board and the High Court after a comprehensive inquiry. Temporary employees were asked via mobile phone to appear in person at the Devaswom Vigilance office in Thiruvananthapuram with relevant documents, but none have reportedly appeared so far.

The daily wage is Rs 650. The service period includes 42 days during the Mandala season and 22 days during the Makaravilakku season, totalling 64 days. The total wages amount to around Rs 42,000. After deducting an advance of Rs 2,000, the remaining amount is credited to their accounts at the end of the pilgrimage season. Officials say the large sums transferred cannot be explained as salary income.

Some workers reportedly return as daily wage staff every pilgrimage season and are said to have more influence at Sabarimala than regular board employees. Their bank transactions from previous years will also be examined. There is suspicion that some acted as middlemen in poojas and offering bookings.

State Vigilance had earlier found that staff were acting as intermediaries in ghee abhishekam offerings, with aides of the chief priest (Melsanthi) and the Tantri allegedly playing key roles. It is also reported that many temporary staff violated Devaswom rules by working extra hours in hotels, lodges, and other establishments. However, officials say even this would not explain the large amounts of money sent through the bank.

Temple assistants under scanner

• Devaswom Vigilance is also investigating temple assistants who came as aides to the Melsanthi and Tantri. These assistants are brought to Sabarimala by the Melsanthi and Tantri, and the Devaswom Board has no direct control over them. Separately, the Devaswom Board appoints temporary staff through applications and interviews.
• Temporary staff are assigned duties such as distributing appam and aravana, assisting in temple administration, cleaning Sopanam and Malikappuram premises, and packing unniyappam.
• The Devaswom Board will decide on further action after reviewing the Vigilance report. The Sabarimala Special Commissioner has also sought the Vigilance report.