Sabarimala in Spotlight Again: Ghee Misappropriation Scandal Hits Temple Management
Kerala High Court Orders Vigilance Probe into ₹35 Lakh Ghee Scam
Gold Theft Allegations Add to Crisis of Trust in Temple Administration
By Our Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: January 14, 2026:
The revered Sabarimala temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and visited by millions of devotees every year, has once again found itself in the headlines for the wrong reasons. On 13 January 2026, the Kerala High Court ordered a vigilance probe into alleged misappropriation of ghee sales worth ₹35 lakh, exposing lapses in the functioning of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the shrine.
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This scandal comes close on the heels of the gold theft controversy, further denting the credibility of temple functionaries. The developments have raised serious questions about financial accountability, transparency, and governance in one of Kerala’s most sacred institutions.
Background of the Ghee Misappropriation Case
- Sacred Offering: “Adiya Sishtam Ghee” is a holy offering sold to devotees at Sabarimala.
- Period of Misappropriation: Between November 11 and December 26, 2025, about 16,628 packets of ghee were sold at ₹100 each.
- Funds Missing: The proceeds, amounting to ₹35 lakh, were not deposited into the Devaswom account.
- Court’s Reaction: Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and K.V. Jayakumar expressed shock at the sloppy record-keeping, lack of stock verification, and delayed deposits, calling it a grave criminal breach.
- Probe Ordered: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) have been directed to investigate systemic failures and possible complicity at higher levels.
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Why Sabarimala Functionaries Are in Wrong News
- Financial Mismanagement:
- Repeated scandals involving embezzlement of offerings and missing gold have tarnished the temple’s reputation.
- The ghee scam highlights serious lapses in accountability within the TDB.
- Systemic Failures:
- The High Court noted that basic safeguards like stock verification and timely deposits were ignored.
- This negligence enabled rampant theft and misappropriation.
- Loss of Devotee Trust:
- Devotees contribute offerings with faith, expecting transparency.
- Scandals erode public confidence in temple management.
- Judicial Intervention:
- The High Court’s suo motu action shows that courts are stepping in where temple authorities failed.
- This reflects poorly on the governance of one of India’s most prominent temples.
Gold Theft Case Adds to Crisis
- Earlier Allegations: Reports of gold ornaments missing from temple assets had already put the TDB under scrutiny.
- Double Blow: With the ghee scam now surfacing, the temple administration faces back-to-back credibility crises.
- Public Outrage: Devotees and watchdog groups have demanded stricter oversight and independent audits.
Court’s Observations
- “The siphoning of amounts for a short period of just under two months, confined only to the sale of ‘Adiya Sishtam Ghee’, is a grave criminal breach,” the Bench remarked.
- The Court directed the Vigilance Director to register a crime under the Prevention of Corruption Act and ascertain the full extent of misappropriation.
- Judges expressed concern that higher-level complicity cannot be ruled out, demanding a thorough probe.
Broader Implications
- For Temple Management:
- Calls for structural reforms in the Travancore Devaswom Board.
- Need for digital tracking of offerings and sales to prevent fraud.
- For Devotees:
- Scandals undermine faith in temple administration.
- Transparency is essential to restore trust.
- For Judiciary:
- Reinforces the role of courts in ensuring accountability in religious institutions.
- Sets precedent for vigilance probes in similar cases across India.
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Conclusion
The Sabarimala temple, a symbol of devotion and spirituality, is now battling a crisis of credibility. The ₹35 lakh ghee misappropriation scandal, coupled with earlier gold theft allegations, has placed temple functionaries under intense scrutiny.
The Kerala High Court’s intervention underscores the urgent need for financial transparency, accountability, and systemic reforms in temple administration. For devotees, the hope is that these measures will restore faith in the sanctity of offerings and ensure that Sabarimala remains a place of worship, not controversy.
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