Sabarimala Ashtabhishekam Case: Kerala High Court Casts a Decade-Long Net Over Temple Finances
Introduction
Sabarimala, one of the largest Hindu pilgrimage centres in the world, draws millions of devotees each year. Its administration falls under the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), a statutory body charged with managing temples and their revenues. In recent months, the TDB has found itself under intense judicial scrutiny over the integrity of its financial and procurement practices.
The proceedings arise from a report submitted by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner, based on a vigilance inquiry into the administration of the Sabarimala Temple. That report raised serious concerns regarding financial management, procurement practices, accountability of the temple officials and transparency in the conduct of temple rituals and offerings.
Brief facts of the case
At the heart of the case, Suo Motu v. State of Kerala & Ors. (SSCR No. 14 of 2026), are the irregularities surrounding the Ashtabhishekam, a sacred ritual involving the ceremonial bathing of the deity with eight holy substances. The Suo Moto petition was initiated based on allegations of misappropriation of funds by the administrative officers of the TDB while procuring three out of eight items required for conducting the Ashtabhishekam ritual.
The Administrative Officer allegedly claimed Rs. 300 per Ashtabhishekam towards supplier costs without producing bills, vouchers or purchase records to support the expenditure. This seemingly small per-ritual amount multiplied across hundreds of rituals conducted over years represents a significant financial gap. The vigilance report also raised concerns over the supply of pooja materials by Sunil Kumar, popularly known as Sunil Swami. According to the report, he supplied materials worth approximately Rs 3,00,000 for monthly poojas and around Rs 18,00,000 during Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The Court observed that accepting supplies from the same individual for years without transparent procedures or proper authorisation could encourage corruption and administrative abuse. The vigilance officer founds that purchase documents examined did not include genuine invoices from shops and contained only details of quantities supplied. The Court noted that these supplies were accepted continuously over several years without transparent procedures, authorisation, receipts, or proper accounting.
The irregularities also extended to storage practices. Sunil Kumar reportedly supplied 20 sacks of jaggery for monthly poojas and 210 sacks during the pilgrimage season. These materials were reportedly stored in an area adjacent to the Administrative Officer’s room. Although Devaswom Board regulations mandate the issuance of receipts through Form no. 3 and the maintenance of a separate register for special offerings, these procedures had allegedly not been followed.
Judgement & Court’s Analysis
Taking cognisance of this scenario, a Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to produce the entire record relating to the conduct of all practices (Ashtabhishekam, Mahanivedhyam, Ganapathy Honam and others) of the past ten years within 10 days.
The Court also directed the Board to submit complete details of materials supplied by Sunil Kumar or any other sponsors along with corresponding registers, receipts and records. The Bench further sought information regarding independent auditors that had previously audited the Board’s accounts along with soft copies of the same.
The Court directed the State Audit Department to independently examine these records and submit a report and assessing whether the current financial management practices are transparent and accurate and critically, whether adequate safeguards exist to prevent financial irregularities and embezzlement. The Court will further discuss on the matter on June 20th, 2026.
This Case raises several important questions at the intersection of temple administration, constitutional accountability and public trust. It underscores that statutory bodies governing religious institutions are not exempted from principles of financial propriety. The TDB, as a public authority, is bound by the same standard of transparency and accountability as any other government institution and the action of the Board has breached public financial norms.
The Suo Moto nature of the proceedings signals the High Court’s proactive posture in protecting public interest. Judicial intervention in matters of temple administration is not new in Kerela, but the scope of this enquiry is notably expansive and methodical. The Court’s recognition that unregulated, opaque supply arrangements with a single vendor over years create structural conditions for corruption, reflects a mature understanding of institutional risk. The issue is not merely individual dishonesty but also systemic weakness in internal matters. The direction to the State Audit Department adds an external, independent layer of verification, which was necessary given TDB’s own auditing history being under scrutiny.
Conclusion
The Sabarimala Ashtabhishekam case is about governance. The obligation of public institutions to account for every rupee collected in the name of devotion. As the Kerela High Court demands 10 years of TDB’s records, it sends a clear message that the sanctity of a temple cannot be invoked to shield it administration from the rule of law.
Shomdeepta Chanda
Intern at The Indian Lawyer & Allied Services
Editors Comments
Corruption in religious institutions has been repeatedly exposed by the press as well as the courts. Though, religious institutions also have to follow certain guidelines, especially, when it comes to finances of the institution, the people running the show offering misuse of their rights. The Supreme Court by taking up this case suo moto shows the importance of financial regularity even in places like a religious institution where millions of people donate their hard-earned money. The Supreme Court is yet to pass its final order thought the message is clear that the apex court will not allow corruption in such revered institutes.
Sushila Ram Varma
Advocate & Chief Consultant
The Indian Lawyer & Allied Services
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