The Kerala High Court has been informed of serious allegations regarding financial irregularities at Sabarimala. The concerns involve the Global Ayyappa Meet’s conduct and suspicious money transfers by temporary staff during the recently concluded Mandala-Makaravilakku season. A report submitted to the High Court by the Special Commissioner of the Travancore Devasom Board highlighted significant lapses in organizing the Global Ayyappa Meet held the previous year.
The report revealed that the event was conducted in violation of court orders and lacked financial transparency. Allegedly, proper accounts and supporting bills were not maintained, and contracts, including those for construction works, were awarded without inviting tenders. Additionally, the absence of GST bills and other supporting documents in the accounts was flagged as a potential cause for substantial financial loss to the Devaswom Board.
Veteran Congress legislator Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan raised concerns in the Kerala Assembly about the discrepancies in the expenses for the Global Ayyappa Meet. He noted that the information provided earlier differed significantly from the recent revelations, indicating major deviations. Another legislator, Ramesh Chennithala, expressed alarm over the reported expenditure of Rs 7 crore for the meeting, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to assign responsibilities.
The High Court has also initiated an investigation into suspicious financial transactions involving temporary employees hired during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season. Following a report by the Special Commissioner, the court ordered a probe into transactions totaling more than Rs 14 lakh, primarily conducted through post offices. The employees in question transferred substantial amounts of money during the pilgrimage period, prompting suspicions of illicit earnings at Sabarimala.
