Sabarimala Temple Gold Plating Scandal: CBI Probe Sought Amid Allegations Of Theft
Investigations by the state police intelligence are focusing on the involvement of a former priest and businessman, Unnikrishnan Potty, who sponsored the gold-plating project.
Published : October 4, 2025 at 9:39 AM IST
Pathanamthitta: Amid the recent controversy over allegations of missing gold and mismanagement involving the gold-plated cladding of the temple's Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the Sabarimala temple, the Thantri Mandalam, an organisation of priests, on Friday requested the Kerala High Court for a CBI probe.
They have demanded a detailed investigation into alleged procedural violations, corruption, and mismanagement. The Mandalam urged that those involved in temple administration between 2018 and 202 be named as co-accused. The committee also demanded the seizure of all illegally acquired assets during the period.
The issue surfaced when it was discovered that the gold-plated copper sheets from the Dwarapalaka idols, which had been sent out for repairs and electroplating, returned with a considerable reduction in gold weight compared to records from 2019. Responding to the controversy, the chief priest of the Sabarimala temple, Kadararu Mohanararu, said that industrialist Vijay Mallya had offered gold-plate parts to the hill shrine.
"If the Dwarpalaka sculptures were taken out and repaired, it would be wrong. The repairs should be done at the Sannidhanam. Thantris does not permit repairs that are taken out. A comprehensive investigation is needed," the priest said.
The Kerala High Court had ordered a comprehensive investigation after significant discrepancies in the gold inventory were uncovered, with nearly 4.5 kg of gold reportedly unaccounted for after the plating process last month.
Investigations by the state police intelligence are focusing on the involvement of a former priest and businessman, Unnikrishnan Potty, who sponsored the gold-plating project and is accused of irregularities and possible theft. Reports indicate Potty made property deals worth more than ₹30 crore between 2020 and 2025, including in Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru. It is alleged that he used his connections with high-ranking officials to build influence.
Advocate KB Pradeep, legal advisor of Smart Creation Company, clarified that Potty delivered copper plates, not gold-plated ones, for electroplating. " Unnikrishnan himself brought the gold to electroplate the copper plates," he said. The company clarified that the gold-plated copper plates removed from Sabarimala did not reach them, raising suspicion that entirely new plates may have been introduced.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala demanded a comprehensive investigation under the supervision of the High Court Devaswom Bench.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala demanded a comprehensive investigation under the supervision of the High Court Devaswom Bench. "Investigating the Devaswom Vigilance is like handing over the investigation to the thief himself. The entire activities of the mysterious group operating in Sabarimala should be exposed. The silence of the Chief Minister and the Devaswom Minister on this issue is worrying," he said.
He called on the Thiruvabharanam Committee to disclose who authorised the sale and accused the government of a major failure. “This is a serious case that the Devaswom Board members, ministers since 2019, Devaswom Board Presidents, the administration, and the Devaswom Thiruvabharanam Commissioner, among others, should answer,” he said.
Expressing concerns over public trust, Chennithala said, “Crores of devotees come to Sabarimala. What if they say that there is no security for the offerings that those devotees offer there?” Referring to the long-standing belief that Vijay Mallya had contributed gold plating to the temple, Chennithala remarked, "We all heard earlier that Vijay Mallya plated Sabarimala plates with gold. Now it is being said that Mallya plated it with copper." He added that a comprehensive investigation is needed and the High Court bench should supervise this."
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