Even as the Sabarimala gold scandal continues to stir controversy, two temples operating under the Malabar Devaswom Board in Kozhikode district have now come under scrutiny over missing gold ornaments.
A complaint was filed by the committee of the Neeleswaram Siva Temple, near Mukkom, after a major portion of its gold offerings was found to be missing. The complaint lists 26 crescent-shaped gold pieces, 10 gold thaalis (pendants), and one thaali mani (bead) as unaccounted for, while four of the recovered thaalis were found to be counterfeit. The gold items currently recovered weigh only 1 gram and 9.35 milligrams, significantly less than the original weight of the missing ornaments.
The complainants, committee president Sunith KK and secretary Santhosh, filed the report on October 4, following a fresh verification of the locker contents. They attached a copy of a previous inventory, which had recorded a higher number of gold items. The committee also alleged that the former temple trustee board chairman had resigned and dissolved the panel in August 2025 after irregularities were initially detected. Mukkom police have confirmed receipt of the complaint and stated that a preliminary investigation is currently underway.
A separate irregularity was detected at the Balussery Kotta Vettakkorumakan Temple, where approximately 20 sovereigns of gold have reportedly disappeared from the strongroom. The discrepancy was discovered on October 3 during a routine stock verification — the first such inspection in nearly one-and-a-half years — when Devaswom officials found that five gold ornaments offered to the deity had vanished under mysterious circumstances.
Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday accused the UDF-led opposition of creating a "smokescreen" over the Sabarimala gold-plating issue and said the government is not scared of any such attempts.
He alleged that the Congress-led front was afraid of facts, and that is why they were continuously disrupting Assembly proceedings and reluctant to give a notice to discuss the matter in the House.
The CM made the remarks in the Assembly when the session resumed after a brief break following a scuffle that broke in the Well of the House between UDF MLAs and watch-and-ward personnel during the question hour.
The opposition legislators exchanged heated words with ruling party members during the question hour.
The UDF members have been disrupting the House proceedings since Monday, seeking the resignation of Devaswom minister V N Vasavan over alleged irregularities linked to the reduced weight of gold-plated coverings on 'Dwarapalaka' idols at the Sabarimala temple.
Also read: Uproar in Assembly over Sabarimala gold-plates row
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