Sanchayita Lahkar

The High Court of Kerala Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar, in suo motu proceedings, directed that the gold plating process undertaken on the Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala Temple be completed forthwith and the items transported back to the temple. The Court addressed concerns regarding the removal of existing gold cladding without notifying the Special Commissioner and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the quantity of gold used during the cladding in 1999, subsequent plating in 2019, and the current process in 2025.

The proceedings arose from a report of the Sabarimala Special Commissioner regarding the detachment of the gold covering of the Dwarapalaka idols situated on either side of the Sreekovil at the Sabarimala Temple, without intimation to the Court. The Court initiated suo motu proceedings to ascertain the facts and legal compliance.

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The respondents included the State of Kerala, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the Devaswom Commissioner, and officers connected with Sabarimala management. In addition, the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner was impleaded as the sixth respondent, while Mr. Unnikrishnan Potty, who had undertaken plating works, and Smart Creations, Chennai, were impleaded as seventh and eighth respondents. Further, the Kerala State Audit Department and the State of Kerala Revenue (Devaswom) Department were impleaded as ninth and tenth respondents.

The records indicated that the Dwarapalakas were gold-cladded in 1999 based on sanction by the Travancore Devaswom Board. A communication dated 04.05.1999 recorded permission for gold cladding through traditional methods. Later, in 2019, the seventh respondent, Mr. Unnikrishnan Potty, sponsored gold plating of the idols. A mahazar dated 19.07.2019 detailed the removal of twelve copper plates weighing 25.400 kg for plating. These plates, along with the Peedam weighing 17.400 kg and a lintel, were handed over to the seventh respondent. The mahazar, however, described them only as “copper plates” and did not mention existing gold cladding, raising suspicion and necessitating inquiry.

The Chief Vigilance and Security Officer seized various mahazars, but noted that certain crucial records remained untraced. Preliminary verification failed to locate a second set of gold-cladded Dwarapalakas reportedly kept in the strong room. An email dated 02.10.2024 from the seventh respondent indicated awareness of such a second set and sought its release for extraction of gold to reduce costs.

Smart Creations, the eighth respondent, submitted details of prior works, including gold plating of the temple’s Moolasthana doors. The Standing Counsel for TDB confirmed that plating work had been halted and requested permission to resume. Information presented revealed that some plates had been lacquer-coated, some polished, and others stripped of plating for repair. The separated gold was stored in liquid cyanide solution, awaiting conversion into ingots.

The Bench recorded that “the Dwarapalaka idols were indisputably Gold cladded in 1999”. It further noted that “in 2019, pursuant to the 7th respondent’s request, the gold-plated copper coverings were transported to Smart Creations. However, the mahazar records describe the items merely as ‘copper plates,’ with no mention of gold cladding”.

The Court observed: “Communications from the 7th respondent suggest that another set of Dwarapalaka idols is kept in the strong room. The Chief Vigilance & Security Officer (Superintendent of Police) has, however, been unable to locate such a set. A detailed enquiry needs to be conducted to trace out the same”.

The judgment further stated: “It needs to be borne in mind at this juncture, the quantity of gold required for gold cladding using traditional methods is substantial. In traditional methods, a base is prepared on which Gold Leafing / Sheathing is carried out… The overlapping seams are chased until invisible, creating the appearance of a single, solid gold surface. This is effectively a continuous skin of gold and the quantity of precious metal required is substantial.”

In contrast, the Court recorded that the eighth respondent employed Nano Tech Golden Deposition (NTGD), which applied an ultra-thin layer of gold, thus differing fundamentally from the traditional method.

The Court questioned: “If the Dwarapalakas were gold cladded using traditional methods in the year 1999, what persuaded the TDB to permit the 7th respondent to subject the same to gold plating, by taking the same out of the State and without seeking the permission of the Court, is an issue that requires a probe.”

 “We find it necessary to direct Smart Creations from completing the process already underway. This is because no purpose would be served by retaining the Dwarapalakas with the 8th respondent.”

“We strongly deprecate the removal of gold plating without notifying the Special Commissioner and express our strong discontent that the Gold cladded plates were handed over without a precise inventory of the gold content.”

The Court ordered that “the additional 8th respondent [Smart Creations] complete the pending work forthwith. Upon completion, the items shall be immediately transported back to Sabarimala.”

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“The Superintendent of Police shall seize and produce before this Court all remaining records, including mahazars, revealing – (i) the quantity of Gold used in the year 1999 for cladding the Dwarapalakas and the name and details of the sponsor and the artisan who carried out the work, (ii) the quantity of Gold used in the year 2019 for plating, (iii) the quantity required for the ongoing 2025 process, and (iv) the manner of recovery and reuse of the gold, along with all related records. (v) The second set of Dwarapalakas and Peedam, which are stated to be retained in the strong room.”

“The TDB and its officials shall aid the Chief Vigilance & Security Officer (Superintendent of Police) and hand over all the records in their possession to the Chief Vigilance & Security Officer (Superintendent of Police) so that he can place the records before this Court.”

The matter was posted for further proceedings on 17.09.2025

Advocates Representing the Parties

For the Respondents: Sri. S. Rajmohan, Senior Government Pleader; Sri. G. Biju, Standing Counsel, Travancore Devaswom Board; Smt. Sayujya Radhakrishnan, Amicus Curiae for Sabarimala Special Commissioner; Advs. R. Sudhish and M. Manju

Case Title: In the Matter of Travancore Devaswom Board – Sabarimala Special Commissioner Report
Case Number: SSCR No. 23/2025
Bench: Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V, Justice K.V. Jayakumar