Fresh revelations of large-scale corruption inside the Travancore Devaswom Board have reignited public outrage, as allegations against former senior officials continue to widen. Crores of rupees were allegedly siphoned off after N. Vasu took charge as Devaswom Commissioner in 2010, operating closely with V. S. Jayakumar, the then Devaswom Finance Commissioner. Jayakumar, the brother of a former Devaswom Minister and MP (LS), comes from a politically influential family in Thiruvananthapuram, where Sivakumar is a prominent Congress leader. Investigators say Vasu and Jayakumar together orchestrated the diversion of several crores through a series of questionable financial dealings.
According to the allegations, contractors were made to provide written statements confirming that the auction amounts were fixed at the “special rate” dictated by Vasu and Jayakumar. These auctions were decided from Thiruvananthapuram. The duo allegedly ensured that the auction amounts were set deliberately low, collecting the balance unofficially from entrepreneurs, keeping the entire operation a closely guarded secret. It is further alleged that the money was collected from contractors through Unnikrishnan Nair, Jayakumar’s driver. Reports suggest that the wedding of Unnikrishnan Nair’s daughter was organised with lavish arrangements under the leadership of Jayakumar, making the event controversial.
During the period, Vasu had also taken charge as the Sabarimala Executive Officer. He was accused of being involved in corruption relating to the purchase of temple utensils. After two years, he was elevated to the post of Devaswom Secretary, where he allegedly entered into secret contracts once again and generated illegal personal revenue. He is said to have retired only after ensuring that all pending bills were passed by pressuring Executive Officer B. L. Renugopal—another alleged tactic to mint money.
Another major fraud reportedly occurred through benami transactions. Benami contracts were allegedly taken through GKS Sastha Pack, owned by G. K. Sai Krishna, the son of driver Unnikrishnan Nair. The firm is believed to have secured contracts again this year, with allegations pointing once more towards Jayakumar’s involvement. Day by day, several corruption stories are surfacing. There is no doubt that Sabarimala has become a goldmine for some individuals, while innocent pilgrims stand betrayed.
The developments in the Sabarimala temple theft case highlight the consequences of government-controlled Devaswom boards and the appointment of atheists as members responsible for managing temple affairs. With neither respect for Bhagwan nor for devotees, they appear to have treated the temple as a goldmine from which funds could be drawn at will.
The Sabarimala case, and the silence of Communist leaders, particularly Chief Minister Vijayan and his ministers, raises serious doubts about the integrity of temple administration under government oversight. It is worth noting that Communist parties, including CPI(M), CPI and Congress, had aggressively attempted to malign the sanctity of Sabarimala during the women’s entry controversy. Now, however, all these forces seem to have slipped into a state of self-imposed hibernation.
As the investigation broadens its scope, more details are expected to emerge. The unfolding scandal is likely to influence public sentiment and government preferences in the run-up to next year’s elections.
