SIT Conducts Raids in Three Places Over Sabarimala Milma Ghee Irregularities
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in the supply of Milma ghee to Sabarimala conducted raids at multiple locations in Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.
Searches were carried out at the residence of Shine Joseph, a former Milma official who is allegedly involved in the case, as well as locations linked to contractors involved in transporting the ghee.
The Vigilance team said that several documents were seized during the searches. The investigation is being conducted by the SIT constituted in accordance with the Kerala High Court's directions.
According to the SIT's findings, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) allegedly suffered a loss of ₹2.27 crore due to the purchase of ghee from Milma at a higher price.
Earlier, it was reportedly found that some of the ghee transported to Sabarimala was allegedly diverted and sold on the way. The ghee was reportedly diverted while being transported from the Pathanamthitta Dairy to Sannidhanam.
The investigation also raised questions over the unusually low amount quoted by the contractor for transporting the ghee.
The SIT's preliminary assessment reportedly found that irregular interventions were made to facilitate the award of the contract to Milma, allegedly under the leadership of P.S. Prashanth.
For the 2025 Makaravilakku season, the Devaswom Board had decided in 2024 to procure ghee from outside sources. Six firms participated in the tender process. However, while the tender proceedings were underway, the tender was cancelled and the contract was subsequently awarded to Milma.
A firm from Tamil Nadu that participated in the tender had quoted ₹369 per litre, while the Board ultimately purchased ghee from Milma at ₹510 per litre.
The Devaswom Vigilance investigation had earlier estimated that the purchase of around 1.65 lakh litres of ghee from Milma at the higher rate resulted in an alleged loss of ₹2.27 crore to the Board.