Kerala High Court Closes Suo Motu Proceedings on Sabarimala Panchaloha Idol Donations | Instructs Police to Complete Probe into Fundraising Activities
Sanchayita Lahkar
The High Court of Kerala Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K. V. Jayakumar concluded suo motu proceedings concerning the unapproved solicitation of contributions for installing a Panchaloha idol of Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple. The case stemmed from reports that a private individual sought donations after claiming sanction from the Travancore Devaswom Board. Observing that the Board had subsequently rescinded its approval and the individual agreed to put the scheme on hold, the Bench found no need for further intervention and directed only the continuation of the pending criminal investigation.
The matter arose from a report submitted by the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, concerning the permission granted by the Travancore Devaswom Board to Dr. E. K. Sagadhevan, Chairman of Lotus Multi Speciality Hospital and IVF Fertility Centre, to install a “Panchaloha Vigraham” of Lord Ayyappa in the premises of Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple.
On 21 May 2025, Dr. Sagadhevan, representing a community of approximately 150 pilgrims from Erode, Tamil Nadu, expressed willingness to donate a two-foot-tall, 150 kg sacred idol of Lord Ayyappa made with five precious metals. This communication was addressed to the President of the Travancore Devaswom Board. Subsequently, the Secretary of the Board issued a letter to the Executive Officer, Sabarimala, directing full cooperation for the proposed installation.
Thereafter, pamphlets were issued by Dr. Sagadhevan seeking donations from the public for the installation of the idol. The pamphlets contained bank account details and a QR code, asserting that necessary permissions had been obtained from both the Travancore Devaswom Board and the Government of Kerala. This prompted the Special Commissioner to submit a report on 16 July 2025 (S.M. No.18/2025), requesting appropriate action.
On the basis of this report, the Court registered suo motu proceedings on 23 July 2025. Orders were issued to the Chief Police Coordinator, Sabarimala, to ensure registration of a crime and to prevent withdrawal of funds credited to the bank account specified in the pamphlets.
Following this directive, the Travancore Devaswom Board submitted a petition before the State Police Chief, Thiruvananthapuram, regarding the alleged unauthorized fund collection. The matter was forwarded to the Inspector of Police, Pamba Police Station, who registered Crime No.253/2025 under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against Dr. Sagadhevan on 31 July 2025.
The Court, in its order dated 6 August 2025, directed the learned Government Pleader to obtain instructions and report the quantum of funds collected. A subsequent report by the Additional Director General of Police and Chief Coordinator, Sabarimala, submitted on 2 September 2025, detailed the transactions credited to the Rotary Freedom India Trust account after 4 July 2025, amounting to a total of Rs.6,14,007.
Meanwhile, by proceedings dated 28 July 2025, the Travancore Devaswom Board recalled the permission earlier granted to Dr. Sagadhevan. On 2 August 2025, Dr. Sagadhevan informed his willingness to defer the project.
Referring to the report of the Additional Director General of Police, the Court recorded: “The report would reveal that a total sum of Rs.6,14,007/- was credited to the account of the Rotary Freedom India Trust after 04.07.2025, the date on which Travancore Devaswom Board issued permission to Dr. E. K. Sagadhevan to install a Panchaloha Idol of Lord Ayyappa at temple premises. The 6th respondent reported that the investigation of the case is at a preliminary stage.”
The Court also noted: “The Travancore Devaswom Board vide proceedings ROC 5322/25/Sab dated 28.07.2025, has recalled the permission issued to the 7th respondent. The 7th respondent vide letter dated 02.08.2025 informed his willingness to defer the project for which permission was granted by the Travancore Devaswom Board.”
Taking into account these developments, the Court observed: “In that view of the matter, we find no reasons to keep this file pending.”
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It directed: “The investigation of Crime No.253/2025 of Pamba Police Station registered under Section 318(4) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, shall be completed as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of four months from the date of receipt of the certified copy of this judgment.”
“The jurisdictional magistrate on receipt of the report under Section 193 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita shall proceed with the matter in accordance with law.”
“The amount seized by the Police shall be produced before the jurisdictional Court, which Court shall deal with the same in accordance with law.”
Advocates Representing the Parties
For the Respondents: Sri. G. Biju, Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board; Sri. S. Sujin, Counsel; Sri. S. Rajmohan, Senior Government Pleader; Smt. Sayujya Radhakrishnan, Standing Counsel for High Power Committee (Amicus Curiae)
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala & Others
Neutral Citation: 2025: KER:68544
Case Number: SSCR No.18 of 2025
Bench: Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K. V. Jayakumar
