Kerala High Court Gives More Time for Sabarimala Ghee Scam Investigation
Pathanamthitta: On Friday, The Kerala High Court has granted an additional 30 days to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to complete its investigation into the alleged Sabarimala ghee scam, which involves the misappropriation of funds linked to the sale of ‘Adiya Sishtam Ghee’.
The offering is sold to devotees at the Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple, one of India’s most prominent pilgrimage centres dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.
Probe widens as more officials come under scrutiny
A division bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar granted the extension after the VACB informed the court that nine additional employees of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) have come under suspicion.
According to the agency, the roles of these newly identified individuals require detailed examination as part of the ongoing corruption probe. Earlier, the VACB had registered an FIR against 33 individuals in connection with the alleged diversion of temple funds generated through ghee sales.
Poor records slow down investigation
The VACB told the court that improper and negligent maintenance of records by the TDB significantly hampered the progress of the investigation, making it difficult to adhere to earlier deadlines.
Taking note of these submissions, the High Court observed that the request for additional time was justified.
“Accordingly, a further period of 30 days is granted to conclude the investigation. The Bureau shall seek prior permission of this court before submitting the final report,” the bench directed.
Court calls for comprehensive probe
The court instructed the VACB to carry out a thorough and time-bound investigation, clearly identifying the role of each accused and ensuring prompt legal action.
The case was initiated suo motu by the High Court in January following a report by the TDB’s Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, which flagged serious irregularities in Sabarimala ghee sales.
Revenue loss and missing stock
The report revealed that proceeds from 16,628 packets of ‘Adiya Sishtam Ghee’ were not credited to the Devaswom account. Additionally, a shortage of 22,565 ghee packets was recorded between December 27, 2025, and January 2, 2026.
The discrepancies are estimated to have caused a revenue loss of ₹22.65 lakh to the Devaswom Board.
Wider implications
The case has emerged as a major instance of alleged temple fund misappropriation in Kerala. The outcome of the VACB probe is expected to have broader implications for transparency and accountability in temple administration.