The Kerala High Court is overseeing a probe into the alleged misappropriation of gold at the Sabarimala temple, with a Special Investigation Team implicating former TDB President P.S. Prashanth and six others. The case involves charges of criminal breach of trust under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following the disappearance of gold-plated plates during repair works. The court has directed an accelerated investigation, with the next hearing scheduled for July 20.
What Happened
The Kerala High Court is currently overseeing a serious investigation into the alleged theft and misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala temple. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has presented substantial evidence to the court, naming former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President P.S. Prashanth and six other individuals as suspects. The SIT has formally booked these individuals under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, specifically citing charges related to criminal breach of trust, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
The division bench, led by Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, acknowledged these findings and has mandated an accelerated probe to ensure accountability. The court emphasized that all necessary actions must be taken to uncover the truth regarding the missing gold.
The Background of the Missing Assets
The controversy centers on gold-plated copper plates that were part of the temple's fixtures. These plates, which were initially recorded as copper sheets in 1999, were later identified as gold-plated during structural assessments. The issue gained significant attention in 2025 when several kilograms of gold were reported missing following a repair and electroplating process conducted in Chennai. The special commissioner noted that these valuable plates were transferred to a private party, Unnikrishnan Potti, for repairs without the required authorization, leading to the current investigation.
Governance and Accountability
For observers of institutional governance, this case highlights the critical importance of internal controls and oversight when managing public or institutional assets. The allegations include procedural lapses, such as unauthorized handing over of temple assets for external repairs. The SIT has indicated that investigations are also ongoing into other former TDB officials, including board members and administrative staff. This broader inquiry into the board's functioning underscores the potential risks when institutional processes are circumvented or not strictly enforced.
Status of the Investigation
The legal process is currently awaiting technical verification to support the allegations. The court is waiting for expert analysis reports from the National Metallurgical Laboratory in Jamshedpur and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. These technical findings will be crucial in determining the exact nature of the materials handled and whether the missing gold allegations are supported by scientific evidence.
What to Watch Next
The Kerala High Court has granted the SIT an additional two weeks to finalize its investigative report. Investors and the public will be monitoring the next court hearing, which is scheduled for July 20. The key monitorable will be the submission of the technical reports and whether the investigation expands to include other officials mentioned in the SIT’s ongoing inquiry.