TDB to tighten vigilance over assistant priests in Sabarimala after gold controversy

Amid an ongoing probe into the alleged theft of gold from the Sabarimala temple, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has decided to intensify scrutiny and tighten vigilance in the appointment of keezhshanthies (assistant priests) at the hill shrine.

The move comes after the alleged disappearance of 475.9 grams of gold used in the gold-plating of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols. The temple’s former assistant priest, Unnikrishnan Potty, who later became a sponsor of renovation works, has been named as the prime accused in the case. The issue surfaced when discrepancies were found in the weight of the gold-clad copper plates returned to the temple after plating work undertaken in 2019.

Following a preliminary report submitted by the TDB Vigilance Wing in early October 2025, the Kerala High Court on October 6, 2025, directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. The SIT subsequently submitted its first report to the court in a sealed cover on October 21, 2025.

TDB president P. S. Prasanth said on Monday that all future appointments of assistant priests would be made only after thorough background checks, and those appointed would be kept under the close supervision of the TDB’s vigilance wing. “There will be serious scrutiny and surveillance in the appointment of assistant priests. There is no doubt about it,” he said.

However, Prasanth clarified that replacing all existing assistant priests with those from the Devaswom panel cannot be done immediately due to legal and procedural constraints. Priest appointments are governed by verdicts of the Supreme Court and the Kerala High Court, he added. The Board’s plan is to gradually induct more priests from the Devaswom panel to improve transparency and accountability.

The Sabarimala temple, one of India’s most visited pilgrimage centres, attracts millions of devotees annually during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season. The controversy has renewed calls for stronger oversight in temple administration. Experts say the episode underscores the need for stringent vetting of temple staff, transparent handling of assets, independent vigilance mechanisms, and ethical management of temple projects to uphold public trust and safeguard the sanctity of religious institutions.