Kerala High Court Directs Vigilance Department to Probe Sabarimala Gold Flag Mast Installation
The Kerala High Court has issued a significant order, directing the director of the vigilance department to constitute a dedicated team to conduct a preliminary enquiry into allegations surrounding the installation of a new gold flag mast at the Sannidhanam in Sabarimala in 2017. This directive comes amid ongoing investigations into financial irregularities and potential misappropriation linked to the temple's assets.
Court's Rationale and SIT Findings
A bench comprising Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar delivered the order after carefully considering submissions from the special investigation team (SIT) that is currently probing the alleged gold theft at Sabarimala. The SIT had examined the specific allegations related to the flag mast installation and uncovered several concerning issues.
The investigation revealed procedural lapses and serious violations of the Devaswom Rules, along with breaches of financial accountability norms. Particularly troubling was the finding that official records failed to accurately document the quantity of gold donated by individual devotees for the mast project. The absence of proper individual donor receipts created a situation where verifying the exact amount of gold contributed became impossible, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Investigation Challenges and Court Decision
The SIT further noted that to determine whether any misappropriation had actually occurred, it would be necessary to contact and record statements from all 27 individuals who were reportedly involved in donating gold for the flag mast. This additional investigative requirement presented logistical challenges.
Considering these complexities, the court determined that it would not be appropriate to burden the existing SIT—which is already investigating the separate alleged gold theft involving the gold plates of the sreekovil—with this additional probe. The bench expressed concern about potential conflicts and resource constraints if both investigations were handled by the same team.
Vigilance Department Mandate and Timeline
Accordingly, the High Court has specifically ordered the vigilance director to constitute a specialized team to conduct the preliminary enquiry into the gold flag mast installation allegations. The court has set a strict timeline for this investigation, requiring the vigilance team to submit a comprehensive report within 30 days of beginning their work.
This development represents a significant escalation in the scrutiny of temple administration and financial management at Sabarimala, one of Kerala's most prominent pilgrimage sites. The vigilance probe will now examine whether proper procedures were followed during the 2017 installation project and whether there were any irregularities in how donated gold was accounted for and utilized.
The court's intervention underscores the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in religious institutions, particularly when dealing with valuable donations from devotees. As the vigilance department prepares to launch its enquiry, all eyes will be on whether this investigation uncovers further evidence of mismanagement or confirms the procedural lapses already identified by the SIT.
