The Kerala High Court has demanded an expeditious and airtight investigation into the alleged misappropriation of ghee supplied by Milma to the Sabarimala Sannidhanam, following reports of severe procurement irregularities.

  • Kerala HC directs SIT to conduct a 'foolproof' probe into ghee supply irregularities.
  • Investigation focuses on 1,61,535 litres of ghee supplied by Milma for 'aravana' preparation.
  • Records seized from Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and Milma offices across multiple districts.
  • Allegations include bypassing e-tender processes and potential supply shortages.

The Kerala High Court has stepped in to ensure accountability in a high-profile case involving the alleged misappropriation of funds and supplies related to the purchase of ghee. A Division Bench comprising Justice V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K.V. Jayakumar has explicitly directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a "foolproof and expeditious probe" into the dealings between the Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (Milma) and the Sabarimala Sannidhanam.

The controversy centers on the procurement of ghee used for the preparation of 'aravana', a sacred offering, during the annual pilgrimage season of 2025-26. The court's intervention comes after alarming reports filed by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner, R. Jayakrishnan, and the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which highlighted systemic irregularities in the procurement process.

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According to the SIT report, critical evidence has already been gathered. Records were seized from TDB offices in Sabarimala, Nilackal, Erumely, Pathanamthitta, Pandalam, and Thiruvananthapuram. Furthermore, documents were recovered from Milma's regional offices in Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta, and numerous witnesses have been interrogated to uncover the depth of the conspiracy.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this case transcends simple financial misappropriation; it touches upon the sanctity of one of India's most visited shrines. When the e-tender process is bypassed—as alleged in the case of TDB President P.S. Prasanth and other board members—it suggests a breakdown in corporate governance and a potential nexus between state cooperatives and religious administration. The core question remains whether the full 1,61,535 litres of ghee actually reached the Sannidhanam or if a significant portion vanished into a black market.

The bypass of transparent e-tendering in public-religious institutions often masks deep-rooted systemic corruption and nepotism.

The investigation is now led by M.J. Sojan, Superintendent of Police, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB). The SIT is under pressure to determine why the objections raised by the Special Commissioner regarding the award of the tender to Milma were ignored by the board.

Did You Know?: The 'aravana' offered at Sabarimala is a traditional sweet made from jaggery and ghee, and the volume of ingredients required during the peak pilgrimage season is among the highest for any single temple offering in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the primary allegation in the Milma ghee case?
The primary allegation is the misappropriation of funds and supplies regarding 1,61,535 litres of ghee, involving the bypassing of e-tenders and potential failure in the actual delivery of the product.

Q2: Who is leading the investigation?
The probe is being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by M.J. Sojan of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).