VHP Moves Kerala HC For Audit Of Gold, Silver In Temples Under Devaswom Boards

Last Updated:October 13, 2025, 12:31 IST

VHP filed a petition in Kerala HC for a comprehensive audit of temple assets after Sabarimala gold loss, with UDF demanding CBI probe and Devaswom Board accountability.

Kerala High Court. (X/@barandbench)

A fresh petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court seeking a comprehensive audit of gold, silver, and other valuables in temples managed by the State’s five Devaswom Boards.

The plea, moved by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), has alleged widespread mismanagement of temple assets, citing recent controversies, including the one at Sabarimala.

The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar are hearing the matter.

Petitioner’s counsel Krishna Raj seeks directions for an exhaustive appraisal and inspection of the registers and accounts maintained by Devaswom Boards across Kerala.

Malabar Devaswom Board counsel stated that two instances of alleged irregularities have been pointed but argued that while the Board only has supervisory powers, temple trustees must also be impleaded as they control the management of the gold items.

Earlier on Sunday, the Congress-led UDF also demanded a comprehensive audit of assets of Hindu templesfollowing allegations of gold loss at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa shrine.

The opposition front said temples across the state receive large quantities of valuables—including gold, silver, and other precious offerings—and measures must be taken to ensure accountability.

“An audit should be conducted in all Hindu temples, and steps should be taken to inform devotees about it. That’s our demand," PTI quoted UDF convenor Adoor Prakash as saying.

Accusing the state government of “attempting to make some officials scapegoats" in connection with the Sabarimala irregularities, Prakash said both the government and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) under its control were responsible.

“So, the Devaswom Minister (VN Vasavan) should resign and the TDB should be dissolved," he said.

The UDF leader further alleged that the real culprits would not be identified if the state police conducted the probe and demanded a CBI investigation into the matter.

He also claimed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to “check any possible central agency probe" into the irregularities.

“The frauds that happened in Sabarimala have cheated the devotees of the state," Prakash said.

The Kerala High Court had earlier ordered an inquiry after noticing a reduction in the weight of gold-clad copper plates on the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols in the temple.

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