Kerala High Court seeks Vigilance probe into missing ghee packets and alleged fund misappropriation at Sabarimala

The Hindu
The Hindu
3h ago
The Kerala High Court called for a comprehensive Vigilance probe into alleged misappropriation of Travancore Devaswom Board funds at Sabarimala linked to missing ‘Adiya Sishtam Ghee’ packets and short remittances from sales.
Kerala High Court seeks Vigilance probe into missing ghee packets and alleged fund misappropriation at Sabarimala
A What happened
The Kerala High Court cited the need for a comprehensive Vigilance probe to ascertain the extent of alleged misappropriation of funds by Travancore Devaswom Board employees at Sabarimala Sannidhanam in connection with sales of ‘Adiya Sishtam Ghee.’ The court impleaded the Director, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, as an additional respondent in a suo motu case. Over 16,000 packets of ghee valued at ₹16 lakh, handed over to distribution counters at the hill temple, were reported missing. The court said the facts prima facie indicate criminal misappropriation, falsification of accounts/records, and offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Court flagged procedural lapses at sales counters: The court said stock was not taken and closing balances were not recorded when counter in-charges changed, creating conditions conducive to diversion and misappropriation of funds.

  • 2

    Court treated the matter as potential criminal and corruption offences: The court said the facts prima facie indicate criminal misappropriation, falsification of accounts/records, and offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Takeaways

The Kerala High Court moved to bring the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau into the case to probe missing ghee packets and alleged short remittances at Sabarimala.

Topics

World & Politics Corruption & Accountability Investigations Law & Public Safety Crime & Justice Courts

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