The Kerala High Court on Monday observed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in the procurement of ghee for offerings at the Sabarimala temple is progressing in the right direction, as officials continue to examine seized records and question witnesses across multiple locations.
Seizures across TDB and MILMA offices
The SIT, led by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) SP M.J. Sojan, submitted a progress report to a division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar. The court was informed that documents have been taken into custody from several Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) offices and cooperative milk society outlets linked to MILMA.
Locations where records were seized include offices at Sabarimala, Nilakkal, Erumeli, Pathanamthitta, Pandalam and Thiruvananthapuram for the TDB, and MILMA offices at Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram.
- Verification and scrutiny of the seized records is under way.
- Investigators are carrying out questioning of relevant personnel.
- The SIT has been directed to conduct a comprehensive and expeditious inquiry.
“We direct the officer to ensure that no stone is left unturned and that all possible efforts are taken to carry out a comprehensive and foolproof investigation in an expeditious manner,”
The matter arose from alleged procedural lapses in procuring ghee used to prepare aravana payasam, a traditional offering at the shrine. The case was taken up suo motu by the court following a vigilance complaint that an open e-tender was abandoned and the purchase was routed to MILMA on the recommendation of the then administrative officer, Murari Babu, who reportedly vouched for the quality and efficiency of the cooperative's product.
Procurement figures and alleged price differential
The court record states that the TDB, at that time headed by Prasanth, approved purchase of 1,65,000 litres of ghee from MILMA at a rate of ₹510 per litre for the 2025-26 pilgrimage season. The probe team informed the bench that the lowest bidder for the same quality had quoted ₹369 per litre.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Quantity approved | 1,65,000 litres |
| Price paid (MILMA) | ₹510 per litre |
| Lowest bid quoted | ₹369 per litre |
| Estimated loss if lower bid accepted | ₹2.27 crore |
The SIT has been scrutinising procurement files to establish whether the e-tender process was improperly abandoned and whether administrative recommendations unduly influenced the final award of the contract.
Court direction and investigative focus
During the hearing, the bench asked the investigating officers to pursue the probe vigorously and ensure a robust inquiry. The SIT's report emphasised ongoing document verification and witness interrogation. The High Court's remarks underscored the need for an inquiry that is both thorough and expeditious.
Investigations in cases involving religious institutions carry strong public interest in Kerala. The Sabarimala temple attracts large numbers of devotees and the Devaswom Boards oversee significant financial transactions for ritual supplies and services. Scrutiny of procurement procedures is therefore closely observed by the public and the media.
As the SIT continues its work, the next steps likely involve bank and account verification, cross-examination of procurement committee members and those involved in the tendering process, and forensic scrutiny of the seized documents. The court will review further progress reports as the inquiry advances.
The probe remains in the investigative stage and no charge-sheeting decision has been reported so far. The High Court's oversight adds judicial scrutiny to the VACB-led inquiry, signalling an expectation of a methodical and evidence-based outcome.
Further hearings are anticipated as the SIT completes its verification and submits detailed findings to the court.
