Exposed Gold Heist at Sabarimala: BJP Demands Central Probe as Devaswom Board Chief Opposes State-Only Investigation

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Exposed Gold Heist at Sabarimala: BJP Demands Central Probe as Devaswom Board Chief Opposes State-Only Investigation.

The high-profile gold theft case at Sabarimala temple has taken a dramatic turn following renewed allegations by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who claims that the entire scandal was unearthed only because of his party’s political pressure and media exposure. The BJP leader is now calling for a Central investigation authority to take over the probe from the Kerala Police, arguing that the state’s law enforcement machinery lacks independence.

What’s the case about?

The controversy revolves around gold-plated coverings on the dwarapalaka (entrance guardian) idols and other artefacts at Sabarimala that reportedly went missing or were improperly accounted for. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) originally entrusted the plating and refurbishment work to contractors, and significant discrepancies were later detected.

Investigations revealed that approximately 475.9 grams of gold (or more) handed over in 2019 were not properly returned or accounted for.

Following pressure from the Kerala High Court, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under the supervision of senior officials to probe deeper.

The TDB’s vigilance wing has already moved to expand investigations, and former board officials are being served notices.

BJP’s demands & allegations:

Rajeev Chandrasekhar has argued that:

It was only through BJP’s consistent pressure and media scrutiny that the alleged loot and theft at Sabarimala came to light.

The Kerala Police, he claims, cannot be the sole investigating agency because it reports directly to the Chief Minister — creating a conflict of interest in a case which involves high-level temple management and alleged misappropriation of gold.

Therefore, he demands the establishment of a Central investigative authority (such as the Central Bureau of Investigation or another independent body) to ensure a transparent, impartial probe.

State government & opposition reactions

The state-ruling left coalition has rejected the demand for a Central agency, insisting that the SIT formed already is adequate and acts under court supervision. On the other hand, the opposition parties and temple governance watchdogs have backed the call for stronger external oversight, pointing out the deep religious, administrative and political implications of the scandal.

Why this is significant:

Religious & cultural trust: Sabarimala is one of India’s most-visited pilgrimage centres, and devotees trust that the temple’s assets (especially donated gold) are managed with utmost integrity. The alleged misuse or disappearance of gold plates undermines that trust deeply.

Temple administration transparency: The scandal raises questions about how temple boards (in this case the Travancore Devaswom Board) manage large donations, contracts and refurbishment works without adequate oversight.

Political stakes ahead of elections: With assembly and national elections approaching, such scandals become ammunition in political battles— as BJP claims exposure, the ruling front defends its administration.

Demand for independent investigation: The call for a central investigation underscores a wider sentiment that state mechanisms may not always deliver the needed accountability when senior officials or politically connected persons are involved.

What’s next?

The SIT is expected to submit preliminary findings within weeks, including records of gold movement, contracts awarded, and accountability of board officials.

If the BJP’s demand for a Central investigation gains traction, legal petitions might be filed in the High Court seeking transfer of the case to a federal agency.

Temple governance reform debates will likely intensify — covering how pilgrim trust funds, gold/plated artefacts, donations and contracts are managed.

Public scrutiny and media coverage will continue to focus on transparency, financial audit trails and whether any political cover-up was involved.

The unfolding scandal at Sabarimala is not merely a case of missing gold plates. It touches upon trust in religious institutions, accountability of temple administration, political power dynamics in Kerala and the adequacy of state-level investigations when powerful interests may be involved. With BJP demanding a central probe and the SIT already mobilised by the state, the coming weeks will be pivotal in shaping how the gold case will be handled, and whether decisive action will restore faith in the temple’s governance.