In a fresh disclosure that has thrust Sabarimala Temple back into public focus, the Kerala High Court flagged a “distinct and grave possibility” that the original gold cladding on the Dwarapalaka idols may have been sold and the proceeds misappropriated. The court’s concerns stem from a 2019 gold-plating sponsored by Unnikrishnan Potty, who purportedly claimed to use “balance gold” from that venture for a wedding purpose—a statement the court found “deeply disturbing.”

The court has initiated suo motu proceedings, ordering a criminal investigation under the purview of the ADGP (Crime), and has asked for full transparency in temple records. It has also demanded that the Travancore Devaswom Board prepare a complete inventory of valuables in the temple’s strongroom and reconcile the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornament) register, noting serious discrepancies in how historical donations and claddings have been recorded—or ignored.

The significance for UPSC and broader governance discourse lies in how this controversy sits at the intersection of religion, trusteeship, accountability, and public trust. Temple management in India isn’t just spiritual—it involves legal, administrative, and cultural accountability. Any misuse of sacred assets raises questions of constitutional safeguards, audit mechanisms, transparency in religious trusts, and the limits of donor influence.