Kerala HC Questions TDB on Sabarimala Officials' Long Tenure & Pooja Material Irregularities
Kerala HC Questions TDB on Sabarimala Officials' Long Tenure & Pooja Material Irregularities
The Kerala High Court demands answers from the Travancore Devaswom Board regarding the prolonged retention of two key officials at Sabarimala amid alleged pooja material procurement irregularities. A must-read for temple
The Kerala High Court has recently sought a detailed explanation from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) concerning the continued retention of two senior officials, O.G. Biju and S. Sreenivas. This judicial query comes amidst an ongoing scrutiny into alleged irregularities linked to the procurement of Ashtabhishekam pooja materials for the revered Sabarimala temple. The court considered the matter on Friday, June 19, 2026, highlighting its commitment to transparency in temple administration.
Of particular concern to the High Court is the seemingly extended tenure of these officials, which appears to contradict a previous mandate. The court had earlier stipulated that officials appointed to administrative roles at the Sabarimala temple should not serve for more than one year. However, the service records of Mr. Biju and Mr. Sreenivas suggest a pattern of prolonged engagement, often involving transfers that eventually lead them back to key positions at the very same temple.
Mr. O.G. Biju, for instance, held the crucial position of Administrative Officer at Sabarimala from 2023 to 2024. Following this, he moved through various significant roles, including Vigilance Officer, Deputy Devaswom Commissioner (Inspection), and Deputy Devaswom Commissioner (Digitisation). Notably, he has been serving as the Executive Officer for Sabarimala since August 2025, demonstrating a consistent and high-level presence in the temple's operations.
Similarly, Mr. S. Sreenivas served as the Main Store Superintendent in the Sabarimala Executive Office from 2022 to 2024. After an eight-month stint as Assistant Audit Officer in Mavelikkara, he was transferred back to Sabarimala as Assistant Executive Officer. He has since been holding the position of Administrative Officer at Sabarimala from August 2025. The court is keen to understand the rationale behind these postings and transfers, especially given the one-year service cap it had imposed.
Further broadening its inquiry, the High Court has also given the TDB time to provide details about an independent auditor whose services have been engaged. This auditor is tasked with assessing transactions related to the procurement of pooja materials over the past decade. Additionally, the court has directed the Audit department to specify the methodology that will be adopted for auditing these extensive records, underscoring the seriousness with which it views the allegations and the need for a thorough and transparent investigation.
