Thiruvananthapuram, July 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Kerala government has ordered a Crime Branch investigation into alleged irregularities in the supply of ghee used for rituals at the Sabarimala temple, following findings that several tested consignments were of inferior quality.
The decision comes amid renewed scrutiny of the administration of the famous hill shrine, which has recently also been in the spotlight over allegations concerning missing temple gold.
Announcing the probe, Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan described the findings contained in a report submitted by Devaswom Secretary Rajamanikyam as deeply disturbing. He said the issue extended far beyond a case of food adulteration, as it involved the faith of millions of devotees.
“This is not merely about substandard ghee. It is about deceiving, cheating and exploiting the faith of devotees,” the minister said, assuring that those found responsible would face legal action.
According to official records, the Travancore Devaswom Board had entered into an agreement with Milma for the supply of 1.65 lakh litres of ghee for the 2025-26 pilgrimage season. Of this quantity, 1.5 lakh litres were supplied in 30 consignments of 5,000 litres each.
Authorities said only six consignments had undergone quality testing so far, and all six were reportedly found to be below the required standard.
The Crime Branch investigation will examine whether the alleged quality compromise occurred before the consignments were dispatched by the supplier or after they reached Sabarimala. Investigators will also scrutinise the entire supply chain to identify any lapses or deliberate tampering.
To strengthen oversight, the government has announced several corrective measures. Every batch of ghee intended for temple use will undergo mandatory quality testing, while future consignments sourced from external agencies will be digitally tracked from the manufacturing facility to the shrine through an end-to-end monitoring system.
The latest controversy has intensified concerns over the management of one of India’s most revered pilgrimage centres, with the government seeking to restore public confidence through stricter monitoring and a comprehensive investigation.
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