Kerala High Court Directs SIT to Probe All Involved in Sabarimala Ghee Irregularities

The Kerala High Court has directed the Special Investigation Team looking into the alleged irregularities in the procurement and supply of Milma ghee to Sabarimala to examine the role of every person involved in the matter.

Court Observations And Progress

The bench of justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar issued the order after reviewing a progress report submitted by the investigating team. The court noted that the agency has identified the main accused and is currently looking into the possible involvement of other officers and employees of the Travancore Devaswom Board. Investigators have obtained and are checking call data records and financial transaction details from the relevant time period. The bench also observed that the role of senior officials from both the Board and Milma is under detailed investigation. Stating that the probe is moving in the proper direction, the court expressed expectation that the agency will act in a thorough and impartial manner regardless of any official's position.

Background Of The Case

The High Court previously ordered a vigilance inquiry based on a preliminary report by the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, which suggested a coordinated effort among certain Board members and officials regarding the ghee supply. According to the court's view at the time, these actions caused significant financial loss to the Board and possibly led to the supply of substandard ghee used to prepare the 'Aravana' prasadam given to devotees at the Lord Ayyappa temple. Some of the accused have already approached the High Court to seek anticipatory bail.

Context

The Travancore Devaswom Board manages numerous temples in Kerala, including the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, and oversees the preparation of prasadam distributed to millions of pilgrims. Such religious institutions must follow strict procurement procedures to maintain quality and public trust, making transparency in supplying items like ghee a matter of high public interest.