Thiruvananthapuram: The controversy surrounding the alleged disappearance of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala temple continues to escalate, prompting former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president N Vasu to issue a firm public denial of any wrongdoing during his tenure.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Vasu stated that the gold-plated claddings of the Dwarapalaka idols—the guardian deities at the entrance of the Sreekovil—were not removed for repair while he held the TDB presidency. He further clarified that he has no connection with businessman Unnikrishnan Potty, who sponsored the 2019 gold-plating work that is now under intense scrutiny.
Vasu added that, during his time in office, he saw no reason to order an inspection of the idols to ascertain if they were properly plated or if any precious metal was missing from them.
High Court Flags ‘Deeply Disturbing’ Email
Vasu’s statement was a response to queries regarding an email sent to him by Potty on December 9, 2019. In the email, the sponsor claimed to have a “gold balance” remaining after completing the gold work on the main door and Dwarapalakas, and sought permission to use it for a girl’s marriage in coordination with the TDB.
The Kerala High Court referred to this email during proceedings on Monday, making scathing observations:
- The court deemed the communication “deeply disturbing and exposes, yet again, the extent of the impropriety involved.”
- It asserted that the email “unmistakably demonstrates the alarming manner in which certain Devaswom officials had acted in concert with Potty, betraying both the sanctity of temple property and the trust reposed in them by the devotees.”
SIT to Probe Missing 4.5 Kg of Gold
The judicial inquiry stems from revelations that the gold-clad copper plates, when they were last removed from the Lord Ayyappa shrine for gold-plating in 2019, showed an unexplained reduction in weight by around 4.5 kg. This significant discrepancy was never reported by Devaswom officials at the time.
The issue came to the court’s attention after the claddings were once again sent for gold-plating this year (2025) without the mandatory prior judicial approval.
In light of the mounting evidence of irregularities, the High Court has taken decisive action:
- It ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a full probe into the alleged irregularities concerning the reduced weight of the gold-clad copper plates.
- It ordered a comprehensive inventory of all valuables, including gold, at the Sabarimala temple, to be overseen by retired Justice K T Sankaran.
The ongoing investigation highlights serious lapses in the management of priceless temple assets and raises questions about the complicity of officials in the handling of sacred property.