Sabarimala Ghee Sale Scam Arrest Devaswom Official Vigilance Probe

The Sabarimala ghee sale scam has taken a dramatic turn with the Vigilance and Anti‑Corruption Bureau (VACB) arresting a Devaswom official over alleged financial irregularities in the sale of sacred Adiya Sishtam ghee during the 2025 Mandala‑Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. This high‑profile arrest followed a Kerala High Court directive to investigate missing funds and lapses in accountability at one of India’s most revered shrines.

What Is the Sabarimala Ghee Sale Scam?

The Sabarimala ghee sale scam refers to the alleged misappropriation of funds collected from devotees who purchased Adiya Sishtam ghee, a sacred offering traditionally sold in 100‑ml packets at the Sabarimala temple. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) manages these sales, which generate significant revenue during the pilgrimage season.

During the 2025 festival period, it was discovered that funds totaling approximately ₹36 lakh were not properly remitted to the Devaswom Board account, despite evidence that thousands of ghee packets were sold.

How the Irregularities Surfaced

An inspection by the TDB’s Chief Vigilance and Security Officer revealed that:

• About 3,52,050 packets were packed and handed over for sale at counters.

• Approximately 89,300 packets were sold from the main Maramath Building counter.

• Records showed funds were deposited only for 75,450 packets, leaving proceeds for 13,679 packets unremitted.

• Shortfalls and mismatches in stock and revenue raised serious red flags.

The irregularities were not dismissed as simple accounting errors; the Kerala High Court described the situation as “alarming,” noting systemic failures in supervision, stock control, and financial remittances.

Arrest of Devaswom Official: What Happened?

On February 4, 2026, the VACB’s Pathanamthitta unit arrested K R Sunilkumar Potti, a former priest of the Chaliyekkara Bhadrakali Temple who was entrusted by the Devaswom Board with overseeing ghee sales at Sabarimala.

According to officials:

• Potti supervised the sale operations during the 2025‑26 season.

• Employees assigned to the counters allegedly manipulated stock records and failed to deposit the full amounts collected from devotees.

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• The financial loss due to unremitted funds was estimated at approximately ₹36,24,400.

Following his arrest, Potti was produced before the Kollam Vigilance Court, and the investigation is ongoing. A progress report is expected to be submitted to the Kerala High Court in the coming weeks.

High Court Orders Vigilance Probe

The Kerala High Court initiated the investigation after receiving reports of the ghee sale discrepancies. The bench, led by Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar, expressed that such large‑scale diversion of funds in less than two months was “shocking and deeply disturbing.”

In its order, the court:

• Directed the VACB to formally register the case.

• Mandated the formation of a special investigation team.

• Requested that prior permission from the bench must be obtained before filing any final reports.

• Ordered regular progress updates to be submitted.

The court also highlighted serious procedural and supervisory failures that must be rectified to prevent future misuse of temple resources.

Why This Scam Matters

The Sabarimala ghee sale scam has broader implications beyond financial loss:

• Pilgrim trust: Devotees contribute offerings believing in their sacred purpose; mismanagement threatens that faith.

• Temple governance: Questions arise over internal controls and oversight at prominent Devaswom institutions.

• Legal accountability: The High Court’s proactive stance signals increased judicial scrutiny over religious boards handling public funds.

Many devotees and observers argue that temple revenue systems must be transparent and subject to strict external auditing to restore confidence in traditional institutions.

What Comes Next?

The ongoing investigation aims to:

• Determine the full extent of financial misappropriation.

• Identify all individuals involved, including potential administrative lapses at higher levels.

• Recommend procedural reforms for Devaswom Board operations.

The vigilance team’s progress report to the Kerala High Court will likely shape future legal and administrative actions.

Conclusion

The Sabarimala ghee sale scam case underscores significant vulnerabilities in temple revenue systems and highlights the critical need for vigilant oversight. The arrest of a Devaswom official amid allegations of ₹36 lakh in missing funds has ignited concerns over financial governance at one of India’s most sacred religious sites. With the vigilance probe underway and judicial attention focused on accountability, this high‑profile case may lead to reforms aimed at restoring pilgrims’ faith and ensuring transparent temple administration.