Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: SIT Seeks Prosecution Sanction Against 13 Accused, Including 10 Public Servants
The Kerala High Court has directed authorities to expedite the process of granting prosecution sanction to 13 accused in the Sabarimala Sreekovil doorframe gold theft case, clearing the way for the trial to begin without further delay.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the alleged misappropriation of gold, has submitted formal requests seeking permission to prosecute the accused, including 10 public servants.
The matter came up before the High Court on November 10, 2026. According to the details presented before the court, the SIT has sought prosecution sanction from the Revenue (Devaswom) Department Secretary for four accused and from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) for six of its employees.
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The draft chargesheet in the case was reviewed and approved by the appointed Assistant Legal Advisor on November 9.
The final report reportedly lists 350 witnesses, 285 documents and 12 material objects as evidence in the case.
Among those named as accused are Unnikrishnan Potti, Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, former TDB president A. Padmakumar and former TDB commissioner N. Vasu.
The court was also informed that the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of gold from the copper plates covering the Dwarapalaka idols, the guardian figures placed on either side of the Sreekovil, had reached its final stage.
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The SIT assured the bench that it would complete the investigation and submit requests for prosecution sanction. The matter has been posted for further hearing on December 2, along with the proceedings in the doorframe case.
The High Court is also monitoring a separate investigation into alleged irregularities in the procurement and supply of Milma ghee to Sabarimala for preparing Aravana payasam, which is distributed as prasadam to devotees.
On November 8, the court directed the SIT to examine the role of everyone who may have been involved, irrespective of their official position or rank.
The court noted that the SIT had identified the principal accused and that some of them had approached it seeking anticipatory bail.
The investigating team is also examining the possible involvement of other Travancore Devaswom Board employees and senior officials of the Board and Milma.
Call data records and financial transaction details for the relevant period have been collected and are being examined.
The ghee investigation follows allegations that substandard ghee may have been supplied for preparing Aravana, causing financial loss to the Travancore Devaswom Board.
The High Court has asked the SIT to pursue all relevant leads and complete the investigation in a thorough and impartial manner.
