The Kerala High Court on Wednesday took serious note of alleged financial irregularities at Sabarimala during the recent pilgrimage season and ordered a detailed vigilance probe.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar passed the order while considering a report submitted by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner. The proceedings were initiated by the Court on its own (suo motu), without any private complaint.
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Background of the Case
The matter arises out of SSCR No. 7 of 2026, based on a report concerning alleged financial malpractice by casual labourers and permanent staff deployed at Sannidhanam during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season 2025-26 .
According to the report, the Executive Officer received secret information suggesting unusual money transfers by certain employees. Acting on this tip-off, the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer conducted a discreet enquiry.
During the probe, financial data was collected from nearby post offices and banks, including the State Bank of India, Sannidhanam Branch and Dhanlaxmi Bank, Sannidhanam .
The enquiry revealed that ₹14,08,880 was transferred through money orders from the Post Office alone within a short span starting from November 17, 2025 . The amounts were described as “relatively substantial” and raised suspicion about their source.
Five employees were found to have remitted more than ₹25,000 each. One staff member reportedly transferred ₹1,38,000 through the Post Office, while another remitted ₹1,07,450 . Similar patterns were noticed in three other cases.
Despite being directed to appear before the competent authority for enquiry, these individuals failed to comply.
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Court Observations
Hearing the matter, the Bench observed that the allegations could not be brushed aside lightly.
Referring to the report, the Court noted that the remittances were made within a short duration and appeared suspicious in nature .
The Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board informed the Court that the Devaswom Commissioner had already instructed the Executive Officer to lodge a formal complaint at the Sannidhanam Police Station.
“The complaint will enable an exhaustive criminal investigation, including scrutiny of bank accounts of casual and permanent employees,” the counsel submitted .
The Bench said the seriousness and gravity of the allegations warranted immediate and comprehensive action.
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Directions Issued by the Court
In its order dated February 11, 2026, the Court directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police) of the Travancore Devaswom Board to carry out an exhaustive investigation .
Specifically, the Court ordered:
- Collection of transactional and remittance details from the State Bank of India, Sannidhanam, Dhanlaxmi Bank, Sannidhanam, post offices and other financial institutions in and around the area .
- Compilation of a complete database of all employees - temporary, casual and permanent - who were on duty at Sannidhanam during the relevant period .
The objective, the Bench clarified, is to facilitate a comprehensive scrutiny and to ascertain “the full extent of any fraudulent activity or suspicious transfer of funds”.
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Decision
Concluding the hearing, the Court directed that a comprehensive report be placed before it within three weeks .
The matter has been posted for further consideration on March 11, 2026 .
Case Title: Suo Motu Proceedings – Sabarimala Special Commissioner Report
Case No.: SSCR No. 7 of 2026
Decision Date: 11 February 2026
