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Kerala High Court grants more time to probe alleged fund misappropriation linked to Sabarimala Temple offerings.
April 10, 2026: The Kerala High Court has granted an additional 30 days to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to complete its investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds related to the sale of ‘Adiya Sishtam Ghee’ at the Sabarimala Temple. The court allowed the extension after the agency informed that more employees of the Travancore Devaswom Board may be involved, expanding the scope of the probe.
The VACB revealed that nine additional staff members are under suspicion, apart from the 33 already named in the FIR. It also highlighted that poor record-keeping by the Devaswom Board has slowed the investigation, making it difficult to meet earlier deadlines. Accepting these challenges, the court directed the agency to conduct a thorough and detailed probe, ensuring accountability of every individual involved before filing its final report.
The case stems from reports of missing funds from the sale of 16,628 ghee packets and a shortage of 22,565 packets between late December 2025 and early January 2026, causing a loss of over ₹22 lakh. The investigation was initiated following a vigilance report, and the court has stressed the need for swift and lawful action as the expanded probe continues.