Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to conduct a detailed probe into the alleged misappropriation of ₹35 lakh related to the procurement of ghee at the Sabarimala temple, in what has come to be known as the Sabarimala ghee scam.
The court issued the directive while considering a petition alleging serious financial irregularities in the purchase and distribution of ghee used for preparing prasadam at the hill shrine. The petitioner contended that funds earmarked for temple purposes were misused, causing loss to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
Observing that the allegations involve public funds and religious institutions with immense public faith, the High Court said the matter warrants an independent and transparent investigation. The court instructed the Vigilance department to examine whether there was abuse of official position, manipulation in procurement procedures, or collusion between officials and suppliers.
According to the petition, around ₹35 lakh was allegedly siphoned off through inflated bills and irregular procurement practices. The Vigilance probe will look into the role of officials responsible for approving purchases, releasing payments and overseeing quality control.
The Travancore Devaswom Board has maintained that it will fully cooperate with the investigation and reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability. Sources indicated that the Vigilance team is expected to register a case soon and begin collecting documents and statements related to the transactions.
The case has once again brought focus on financial management and oversight at Sabarimala, one of the most prominent pilgrimage centres in the country, visited by millions of devotees every year.
