Kerala HC directs probe into suspicious fund transfer by temple staff and casual labourers at Sabarimala

Kochi: High court has directed Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) chief vigilance and security officer to conduct an exhaustive investigation into the source and legitimacy of funds involved in suspicious financial transactions made by casual labourers and permanent duty staff at Sannidhanam during the last Mandala-Makaravilakku season.A bench of Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar issued the order in response to a report submitted by the Sabarimala special commissioner regarding alleged financial malpractices by casual labourers and duty staff at Sabarimala. The report contains details of a discreet inquiry conducted by the chief vigilance and security officer into amounts deposited for onward remittance by casual labourers and duty staff at Sabarimala from Nov 17, 2025, onwards, through post offices and banking institutions near Sannidhanam.The report reveals that a total sum of Rs 14.08 lakh was transferred through money orders from the post office alone within a short period. It further states that the remittances involved relatively substantial amounts transmitted within a brief span of time, giving rise to suspicion regarding the source and legitimacy of the funds. In addition, the vigilance wing furnished particulars of certain remittances exceeding Rs 25,000 made by five employees. In the case of one employee, a resident of Pathanamthitta, an amount of Rs 1.38 lakh was remitted through the post office. Another employee remitted Rs 1.07 lakh. Similar patterns of remittance were noticed in respect of three other individuals. Though the vigilance officer directed these persons to appear before the competent authority for an inquiry, they failed to comply with the directions issued.Upon perusing the particulars, the court directed that the investigation shall include transactional and remittance details from the State Bank of India, Sannidhanam; Dhanlaxmi Bank, Sannidhanam; post offices; and other financial institutions operating in and around the area. The officer has also been directed to obtain the database of all employees who were on duty at Sannidhanam during the relevant period — whether temporary, casual or permanent — to facilitate comprehensive scrutiny and ascertain the full extent of any fraudulent activity or suspicious transfer of funds. The court further directed the officer to submit a comprehensive report within three weeks and adjourned the matter to March 11.