High Court Directive Urging Caution in Key Sabarimala Appointments Allegedly Ignored by TDB
Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board has reportedly been accused of disregarding the Kerala High Court's directive to exercise extreme caution while appointing officials to key positions at the Sabarimala temple.
According to Media reports, the Board has issued fresh orders retaining several officials in their existing posts, including an Executive Officer who had earlier come under the High Court's scrutiny over allegations of irregularities and corruption. As per the order issued by the Devaswom Board on May 30, six officials, including Executive Officer O.G. Biju, have been permitted to continue in their current positions.
The move comes despite strong observations made by the Kerala High Court on May 18 in connection with alleged irregularities related to the Ashtabhishekam ritual at Sabarimala. The court had reportedly expressed concern over the functioning of the Board and stressed the need for transparency and impartiality in temple administration.
The High Court had observed that the repeated appointment of certain officials to crucial positions at Sabarimala could hinder the fair and unbiased administration of the temple. Allegations had been raised that, during O.G. Biju's tenure as Executive Officer, the supply of materials required for the Ashtabhishekam ritual was entrusted to Sunil Swamy, a person described as controversial in the proceedings.
Questions had also been raised regarding alleged irregularities in the distribution of Adiyashishta ghee offerings. Furthermore, O.G. Biju was serving as Executive Officer in 2025 when the temple's Dwarapalaka sculptures were reportedly sent to Chennai for gold plating.
The report also states that leaders associated with the CPM-affiliated service organisation within the Board have been allowed to continue in their respective positions under the latest order.
While Travancore Devaswom Board President K. Jayakumar IAS has maintained that the Board follows a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, critics argue that retaining officials linked to controversies contradicts those claims. The Board's latest decision is being viewed by some as a direct violation of the High Court's directions.
Even as the Board asserts that measures have been initiated to ensure corruption-free administration, past controversies surrounding the management of Sabarimala have once again come under public discussion.