The Kerala High Court directed a detailed vigilance investigation into suspicious fund transfers by employees at Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season after taking suo motu cognizance of a report submitted by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner that flagged alleged financial malpractices involving both casual labourers and permanent duty staff. A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar issued the directive while considering the report, which detailed findings from a discreet enquiry conducted by the Travancore Devaswom Board’s Vigilance Wing regarding unusual remittance activity observed during the pilgrimage period.
According to the report placed before the Court, the Executive Officer had received secret information that prompted an initial vigilance enquiry. As part of this enquiry, financial data was collected from nearby post offices and banking institutions concerning funds deposited for onward remittance during the relevant period of the pilgrimage season. The findings indicated that nearly ₹14 lakh had been transferred through money orders within a relatively short span of time, raising suspicion about the source and legitimacy of the funds.
The vigilance findings referred to by the Court revealed that two employees had made remittances exceeding ₹1 lakh each, while three other staff members had transferred amounts exceeding ₹25,000. These figures were considered unusually high, particularly in the context of casual and temporary workers deployed at a religious pilgrimage site. The employees concerned were directed to appear before the competent authority for enquiry. However, they reportedly failed to comply with the directives issued by the Vigilance Officer, which further strengthened the need for a comprehensive probe into the matter.
It was also brought to the Court’s attention that the Devaswom Commissioner had instructed the Executive Officer to lodge a formal complaint at the Sannidhanam Police Station to ensure that a proper criminal investigation could be initiated. Directions were additionally issued to collect information regarding suspicious transactions from relevant financial institutions operating in and around the Sabarimala area.
The High Court observed that the allegations presented were grave and serious in nature and warranted a thorough and detailed investigation rather than a limited administrative review. In view of the seriousness of the matter, the Court directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, who also serves as the Superintendent of Police of the Travancore Devaswom Board, to conduct an exhaustive investigation into all aspects of the suspicious transfers.
The Court specifically directed that detailed transactional and remittance records be obtained from the State Bank of India branch at Sannidhanam, the Dhanlaxmi Bank branch in the vicinity, the post offices through which the remittances were made, and other financial institutions functioning in the area. The purpose of these directions was to ensure that all relevant financial data relating to the remittances was collected and scrutinized as part of the investigation.
The Bench further instructed the Vigilance Officer to make efforts to obtain the complete database of all employees who were on duty at Sannidhanam during the relevant period. This database was to include temporary, casual, and permanent personnel. The Court considered such comprehensive data essential for facilitating a full scrutiny of financial activity linked to personnel deployed during the pilgrimage season and to ascertain the possible extent of any fraudulent activity or suspicious transfers.
By mandating the collection and examination of employee records alongside financial transaction details, the Court sought to ensure that no aspect of the matter remained unexplored. The directions were aimed at determining whether any improper or illicit conduct had occurred involving the movement of substantial sums of money by temple staff during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season.
The High Court ordered that a comprehensive report on the findings and progress of the investigation be placed before it within a period of three weeks. Emphasizing the urgency and seriousness of the allegations, the Court also posted the matter for further hearing, thereby retaining supervisory oversight of the investigation.
The directive to probe the transactions reflected the Court’s response to the details furnished by the Special Commissioner regarding the vigilance findings. The unusual volume and quantum of remittances, coupled with the non-compliance of certain staff members with initial enquiry notices, were factors that contributed to the Court’s decision to require an empowered and structured investigatory approach under the supervision of the Devaswom Board’s vigilance wing.
In issuing these directions, the Court underscored the importance of conducting investigations into suspected financial irregularities with thoroughness and attention to detail. The involvement of vigilance authorities and the requirement to obtain financial records from multiple institutions were intended to ensure that the source, nature, and legitimacy of the transferred funds were properly examined.
The High Court’s order established a framework within which the investigation would proceed, combining administrative vigilance measures with the possibility of criminal inquiry. By setting a clear timeline for reporting and directing specific investigative steps, the Court signaled the seriousness with which it viewed the allegations and its intention to ensure that clarity is brought to the circumstances surrounding the suspicious fund transfers during the pilgrimage season at Sabarimala.
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