The Kerala High Court has directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to form an SIT to investigate an alleged conspiracy involving the procurement of ghee from Milma for Sabarimala temple rituals.

Key Takeaways

  • Kerala HC orders VACB to form an SIT to probe alleged ghee procurement conspiracy.
  • The investigation targets the bypass of e-tender processes in favor of Milma.
  • An estimated ₹2.27 crore loss could have been prevented via competitive bidding.
  • The SIT must submit a progress report to the court by September 3.

The Kerala High Court has directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate an alleged conspiracy involving officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). The probe focuses on the procurement of ghee from the Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (Milma) for the preparation of 'Aravana' during the 2025-26 pilgrimage season at Sabarimala.

Background of the Controversy

A Division Bench comprising Justices V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar initiated the suo motu proceeding after reviewing reports from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner and the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer. The reports suggested significant irregularities in how the ghee was sourced and accounted for.

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The Alleged Conspiracy

According to the Vigilance Officer, the then Executive Officer, Murari Babu, bypassed the standard e-tender process by claiming that Milma ghee would be more efficient and higher in quality. Based on these assertions, the TDB approved the purchase of 1,65,000 litres of ghee at ₹510 per litre. However, the Special Commissioner had previously opposed this, noting that the claims regarding quality and usage rates were unsupported by independent studies.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this case highlights a massive gap in institutional oversight. The decision to abandon the e-tender process resulted in a potential loss of ₹2.27 crore to the board. Such discrepancies in the procurement of essential ritual items raise serious concerns regarding the financial management of major religious institutions.

Bypassing transparent tendering processes in favor of specific suppliers is a red flag for institutional corruption.
Did You Know?: The 'Aravana' offered at Sabarimala is a sacred offering made primarily of ghee, jaggery, and rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the specific directive from the High Court?
The Court has ordered the VACB to form an SIT, register a case based on the Vigilance report, and submit a progress report by September 3.

2. How much money was allegedly lost?
It is estimated that approximately ₹2.27 crore could have been saved if the board had proceeded with the successful e-tender bidder.