Kerala High Court Orders Probe into Sabarimala Milma Ghee Misappropriation
In a significant development, the Kerala High Court has directed the State Vigilance Department to conduct an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of Milma ghee at the Sabarimala temple. The court’s move comes in the wake of findings that suggest the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) bypassed a competitive tender process and awarded the supply contract to Milma at a significantly higher rate.
A Tale of Two Bids
According to investigative findings presented to the court, the TDB initiated an e-tender process in which Kumkuma Raj Dairy of Tamil Nadu submitted the lowest competitive bid at ₹369 per liter. However, the board chose to ignore this bid and instead awarded the contract to Milma at a higher rate of ₹510 per liter. This decision was reportedly made on the recommendation of the late Executive Officer Murari Babu, who claimed that Milma’s superior quality allowed for the preparation of temple aravana using only seven liters of ghee instead of the usual ten.
A Lack of Evidence
However, investigators found no material evidence to support this quality claim. In fact, their findings suggest that choosing the lower bidder could have saved the TDB approximately ₹2.27 crore. This revelation has raised serious questions about the TDB’s procurement process and the role of its officials in awarding the contract to Milma.
Supply Chain Discrepancies
The court’s investigation has also highlighted additional supply chain and quality assurance discrepancies. Although the TDB placed its supply order with Milma’s Pathanamthitta depot in July 2025, records reveal that Milma subsequently sourced 24,970 kg of ghee from Sonai Cooperative Dairy in Pune, Maharashtra, at ₹497 per liter. Furthermore, official records failed to show whether mandatory food safety checks or chemical quality verifications were conducted when the ghee arrived at the Sannidhanam.
A Call for Accountability
Addressing the bench, legal counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board stated that the board had independently ordered an inquiry on August 1 to ascertain whether Milma breached contractual terms, complied with food safety regulations, or caused financial harm to the institution. The state government has also indicated that broader administrative reviews are underway to identify any personnel involved in bypassing statutory procurement rules.
A Need for Transparency
The Kerala High Court’s directive to the State Vigilance Department is a welcome move towards ensuring transparency and accountability in the TDB’s procurement process. As the investigation unfolds, it is essential that the TDB and the state government take concrete steps to address the supply chain discrepancies and quality assurance concerns that have been raised. Only then can the public have confidence in the management of the Sabarimala temple and its resources.
A Call for Reform
The Sabarimala Milma ghee misappropriation scandal is a stark reminder of the need for reform in the TDB’s procurement process. The board must adopt a more transparent and competitive approach to procurement, one that prioritizes the interests of the temple and its devotees. By doing so, the TDB can ensure that the temple’s resources are used efficiently and effectively, and that the public has faith in the institution’s ability to manage its affairs.