Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT books 2019 Travancore Devaswom Board members

October 12, 2025

Chennai: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the missing gold from Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple has named the former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) led by CPI(M) leader A. Padmakumar as an accused in the case — a major development in Kerala’s long-running temple gold-plate scandal.

All members who served on the 2019 TDB have been listed as the eighth accused, while several top officials — including then Devaswom Commissioner N. Vasu, the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner, Executive Officer, Administrative Officer, and Assistant Engineer — have also been charged.

Gold Removed Under Pretext of Electroplating

According to the SIT, the case centres on allegations that gold was illegally removed from the Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala under the guise of electroplating work.

Unnikrishnan Potti, a priest-turned-sponsor who had funded the gold-coating, has been named as the first accused, while his associate Kalpesh is listed as the second accused. The duo allegedly extracted gold from the idol coverings, causing financial loss to the Devaswom Board.

SIT Probe Ordered by Kerala High Court

The SIT, led by Crime Branch ADGP H. Venkatesh, registered the case following a Kerala High Court directive, after the Devaswom Vigilance SP and Sabarimala High Commissioner flagged serious irregularities.

Sources said Potti first proposed the gold-coating in 2019, then emailed officials in October 2024 claiming the idols had “discoloured due to extreme climate change” — prompting a re-coating on September 8, 2025, despite clear High Court and procedural prohibitions.

IPC Charges Filed

The accused have been booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) —

• 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property),

• 406 and 409 (criminal breach of trust),

• 466 and 467 (forgery of valuable documents), and

• 34 (common intention).

Padmakumar Responds: ‘I’ve Done Nothing Illegal’

Reacting to the charges, former TDB president A. Padmakumar said he would cooperate fully with investigators.

“Let the court decide whether the board under me committed any irregularities. I have done nothing illegal, and our board never violated any rules or customs at Sabarimala,” he told reporters, welcoming the probe and asserting that he wanted the truth to come out.

The probe, now under SIT supervision, is expected to shed light on one of Kerala’s most controversial temple-related cases in recent years — potentially redefining accountability within the Devaswom administration.