Kerala High Court 'Strongly Deprecates' Removal Of Gold Coverings From Sabarimala Idols Without Permission, Lets Repair Work Continue

The Kerala High Court took suo motu cognizance of unauthorized removal of gold plating from Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala temple. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) had sent the idols to Smart Creations, Chennai, for electroplating and repair without prior intimation to the Special Commissioner, prompting the Court’s strong disapproval. The Court permitted completion of repair works under strict conditions, including return of the gold and idols post-repair and storage in a secure location until reinstallation. The bench emphasized procedural rigor, requiring detailed inventories of gold quantities used in prior cladding and during ongoing work, and ordered police seizure of records related to the gold plating operations. Further investigations were directed into missing mahazar documents related to past gold work. The judgment balanced respect for religious sentiments with the need for transparency and accountability in handling temple valuables. By allowing controlled continuation of repairing work but deprecating unauthorized gold removal, the Court asserted its supervisory role in safeguarding heritage assets and religious property.