No Criminal Case, No Sufficient Evidence; Kerala HC Directs Disciplinary Action in Sabarimala Aadiyashishtam Ghee Case
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has accepted the Vigilance report stating that there was insufficient evidence to initiate criminal proceedings against Devaswom employees in connection with irregularities in the sale of Aadiyashishtam Ghee at Sabarimala. The Vigilance informed the court that its investigation had not found sufficient evidence to establish financial misappropriation or individual criminal liability and that the investigation had been concluded.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar was hearing a suo motu petition initiated on the basis of a report by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner regarding alleged irregularities at the ghee sales counters.
An earlier investigation had found a loss of ₹17.14 lakh to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). However, the fresh Vigilance investigation found no sufficient material to establish deliberate misappropriation by individual employees or a conspiracy involving the packing contractor, counter staff, Temple Special Officers and the Executive Officer.
The investigation instead attributed the loss to serious lapses in the production, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of Aadiyashishtam Ghee. The court noted that public money had been lost, but individual criminal responsibility could not be established from the available material.
The Bench also noted shortcomings in the deployment and supervision of staff. Of the 39 counter sales staff deployed during the relevant period, 10 had joined service only in November 2025 and were assigned counter duties in the same month. One of the three Temple Special Officers had only five months of service.
The High Court directed the TDB to consider departmental disciplinary proceedings against the officials concerned and take steps to recover the financial loss suffered by the Board.
The court also directed the TDB to prepare a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the handling and sale of Aadiyashishtam Ghee. The SOP should clearly define the duties and responsibilities of officers and staff and include mechanisms for supervision, stock verification, accounting, digital tracking and accountability.
The Board was directed to maintain separate registers for the receipt and supply of ghee packets, conduct regular physical stock verification and properly account for losses, wastage and damage. Counter-wise stock records should also be maintained during shift changes.
The Bench further directed the TDB to prioritise computerisation of activities connected with the preparation, storage, accounting and sale of offerings, including Aadiyashishtam Ghee.
The High Court also called for greater professional expertise in Sabarimala's administration and directed the TDB to seriously consider engaging competent professionals on a contractual basis for specialised managerial and technical responsibilities. It also suggested management training for senior officials through institutions such as the Indian Institute of Management (IIM).
The TDB has been directed to submit the new SOP incorporating the court's directions within three weeks. The matter will be considered again on October 23, 2026.