KOCHI: Even if a crime is reported, the Devaswom vigilance does not have the authority to file its own case. The reporting authority is the Devaswom President. The investigation report must also be submitted to the President. The Travancore Devaswom Vigilance investigating the Sabarimala gold pedestal scam is a toothless paper tiger! According to their report, if necessary, the government or the High Court should order an investigation by other agencies.

The Devaswom Vigilance consists of an SP, three SIs, three CPOs and three Assistant Commissioners of the Devaswom, who are coming on deputation from the police. There is no inspector in the team. For serious crimes, the government can directly order an investigation by the Crime Branch or the Police Vigilance without waiting for the investigation report of the Devaswom Vigilance.

The Devaswom President is responsible for writing the confidential report of the SP during his service period in the Devaswom. The Devaswom Vigilance operates in the Thiruvananthapuram, Mavelikkara and Vaikom regions. The move made by the Devaswom Board in 2014 to give the responsibility of investigation to a retired SP was blocked by the High Court.

The vigilance unit within the Cochin Devaswom Board is comprised of retired police officers. The team includes a retired DySP and eight retired police officers. In Guruvayur, the government's administrative vigilance unit is in charge. There is no vigilance unit in Koodalmanikyam. In the Malabar Devaswom Board, a Deputy Commissioner Liaison Officer was assigned for internal investigations just two months ago.