Kerala’s Sabarimala gold theft probe arrests 11, including chief priest, sparking election fury as opposition demands CBI inquiry amid corruption claims.
The Great Sabarimala Gold Heist: Temple Betrayal Meets Election Warfare:
Kerala’s iconic Sabarimala temple, a pilgrimage site for millions, is at the center of a massive gold theft controversy where kilograms of donated gold were allegedly stripped from sacred idols and structures during a 2019 “restoration.” With 11 arrests including the chief priest and ruling party-linked officials, the case has erupted into a political battleground, as opposition parties accuse the Left Democratic Front government of enabling the loot through state-controlled temple boards. As Kerala heads toward 2026 assembly elections, this scandal threatens to erode public trust in governance and temple management, spotlighting vulnerabilities in protecting religious assets.
The Golden Trail of Betrayal: From Mallya’s 1998 Gift to 2026 Arrests:
The controversy traces back to 1998-99 when fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya donated 30.291 kilograms of gold to the Travancore Devaswom Board for cladding the temple’s sanctum sanctorum door frames, Dwarapalaka (guardian) idols, pillars, and narrative panels. In July 2019, these gold-plated items were removed from the temple and sent to Smart Creations, a Chennai-based firm, for purported re-plating, with approval from the board and chief priest.
Investigations revealed significant weight discrepancies post-re-plating, indicating gold had been stripped and misappropriated. A vigilance report in October 2025 flagged 474 grams of gold misused, prompting the Kerala High Court to order a Special Investigation Team probe on October 3, 2025. The SIT registered two FIRs for the Dwarapalaka idols and door frames.
The first major arrest came on October 17, 2025, when prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti, a Bengaluru-based businessman and former assistant priest, was detained after 11 hours of questioning. Potti, who facilitated the transport, claimed he was “trapped.” Subsequent arrests included former administrative officer Murari Babu on October 23, 2025, and former Devaswom AO Sreekumar on December 17, 2025.
Political ties emerged with the arrests of former TDB presidents A. Padmakumar (November 2025) and N. Vasu, both CPI(M) leaders. On January 9, 2026, chief priest Kandararu Rajeevaru was arrested for alleged conspiracy and granting “silent permission” to violate rituals. The latest, on January 14, 2026, was former board member KP Shankaradas, arrested from a hospital after High Court criticism of probe delays.
In January 2026, the Enforcement Directorate registered an Enforcement Case Information Report under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, probing potential laundering of proceeds. A related ghee misappropriation-35,000 packets worth ₹35 lakh unaccounted for between November and December 2025-prompted a High Court-ordered vigilance probe.
When Faith Becomes Political Ammunition: Sabarimala’s Gold Theft Fuels 2026 Battle:
Sabarimala, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, attracts over 50 million pilgrims annually, making it one of India’s richest temples by donations. Managed by the state-run Travancore Devaswom Board, it has faced recurring controversies, including a 2018 Supreme Court ruling on women’s entry that sparked protests.
The gold theft highlights systemic issues in temple governance under government control, where board members are often political appointees. Opposition claims the LDF government facilitated the theft via the TDB, echoing broader debates on freeing Hindu temples from state oversight. Similar irregularities surfaced at Guruvayur temple, with missing gold, silver, and land.
With Kerala assembly elections slated for May 2026, the scandal amplifies communal and governance tensions. BJP, aiming to expand in the state, has weaponized it to appeal to Hindu voters, while Congress accuses the SIT of Home Department influence. The case’s significance lies in eroding devotee faith and exposing potential antique smuggling links.