Bhajan Scam at Global Ayyappa Sangamam? ₹8 Lakh Bill Issued for Nandagovindam Bhajans Program That Never Happened
Serious financial irregularities have been found in the audit report submitted by the Travancore Devaswom Board in connection with the global Ayyappa gathering held at Pamba. The controversy centers on the passing of a bill worth 800,000 rupees in the name of a troupe called “Nandagovindam Bhajans,” which did not actually participate in the event. On the morning of the gathering, the devotional music program was performed by singer Ishan Dev and his team. However, the report does not specify how much they were paid, and the inclusion of Nandagovindam Bhajans — who have not performed at Sannidhanam or Pamba so far — has strengthened suspicions of fraud.
According to the audit report, eight lakh rupees were spent on cultural programs that had a budget allocation of only two lakh rupees. The report also does not include expense details for the music program conducted the same evening by Vijay Yesudas, Veeramani Raju, and Sudeep Kumar. Devaswom officials explained that these artists performed free of charge. Questions remain as to how such a large bill passed through the auditing process conducted by a private agency on behalf of the Devaswom Board.
With the matter now under the consideration of the Kerala High Court, the Devaswom Board has gone on the defensive. The report of the Sabarimala Special Commissioner is also currently before the court. The Devaswom Bench of the High Court has ordered the Board to provide a clear explanation by February 27 regarding the irregularities, including the billing in the name of Nandagovindam Bhajans. The bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and V. Jayakumar sought the explanation from the Board.