TDB says gold-plated panel from Sabarimala cannot be returned immediately, will file review petition

Thiruvananthapuram: Travancore Devaswom Board President PS Prasanth said the gold-plated panels of the Dwarapalaka shirens in Sabarimala, which were sent for repair, cannot be returned at this time. Speaking to the media, he said he will inform the High Court and file a review petition on the matter. The court had recently ordered the return of the gold-plated panels, prompting Prasanth’s response.

He said the panels had been damaged by coins, and both Thantris had requested in writing that they be replaced. “A team led by the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner oversaw the repair, with all steps taken in the presence of the Administrative Officer, Executive Officer and Vigilance Wing. The repair is a chemical process, and it is impossible to bring the panels back now. The matter will be brought to the attention of the court, and a review petition will be filed,” Prasanth said.

Prasanth also alleged widespread misinformation against the Devaswom Board. “There are claims that we committed a crime. Some have even suggested that gold-plated panels were smuggled under the guise of a lunar eclipse. Others have said the gatekeepers were removed. This concerns only 16 grams, donated by a devotee. It is purely a technical issue. The coin damaged the panels, which should not have happened. Letters from both Thantris and a video were recorded. The entire process was transparent and done in the presence of the donor. Yet some are portraying it as a crime. Our only aim was to protect customs and rituals,” he said.

The High Court on Thursday ordered the immediate return of the gold panels, which are part of the Dwarapalaka sculptures on both sides of the Sabarimala shrine, that were sent for repair. The court also directed the Sabarimala Special Commissioner and officials to report if there was any reason not to act against the removal of the panels and their transfer to Chennai without prior notification.

The bench, comprising Justice V Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice KV Jayakumar, directed that all files related to the decision to send the panels for repair without permission be produced by Friday. The court intervened suo motu following a report from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner, which alleged that the panels had been sent for repair without authorisation, noting that the directive to seek High Court permission for such actions was not followed.