Kochi, Feb 12 (NationPress) The Kerala High Court has been made aware of two significant allegations concerning financial misconduct at Sabarimala. The first set of allegations relates to the organization of the Global Ayyappa Meet, while the second involves questionable money transfers executed by temporary staff during the recently concluded Mandala-Makaravilakku season.

A report presented to the High Court by the Special Commissioner of the Travancore Devasom Board highlights serious shortcomings in the management of the Global Ayyappa Meet that took place last year.

This report indicates that the event was managed contrary to court directives and lacked financial transparency.

It is alleged that proper financial records and supporting invoices were not maintained.

Contracts for tasks such as pandal construction and other related activities were assigned without the competitive tendering process.

Additionally, the work was reportedly given to an event management company, a subsidiary of the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society, at an inflated cost of an extra 10 percent.

The report emphasizes the absence of GST invoices and other necessary documentation in the financial accounts, raising concerns that this could lead to considerable financial losses for the Devaswom Board.

Subcontracts lacked appropriate documentation and were not available for auditing.

Auditors faced challenges in finalizing precise accounts due to inconsistencies in the submitted bills.

Decorative expenses initially projected at Rs 2 lakh reportedly surged to Rs 8 lakh.

Moreover, sponsorship income of Rs 2 crore remains ambiguous, with expenses linked to VIP catering and repair work awarded without tendering.

Contractors were given an arbitrary additional 10 percent for handling charges, and detailed breakdowns of expenses were not provided.

Veteran Congress representative Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan noted that they had raised these concerns in the Kerala Assembly, indicating discrepancies in the information provided earlier.

"We were informed that the costs for the Global Ayyappa Meet would be covered through sponsorships, but the current revelations are entirely different. It was stated on the Assembly floor that funds from the TDB would be reimbursed with sponsorship money, but this report claims otherwise," he said.

CWC member and senior legislator Ramesh Chennithala asserted that Rs 7 crore was exorbitantly spent for the meeting.

"The anticipated attendance for the event was minimal, yet the reported expenses indicate a massive turnout. If a thorough investigation is not initiated, we will ensure that it is conducted, and accountability will be established," he emphasized.

In a related matter, the High Court has mandated an investigation into dubious financial activities concerning temporary staff hired during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season.

Following another report from the Special Commissioner, the court ordered a probe after discovering that over Rs 14 lakh was transferred rapidly via post offices.

Two employees allegedly sent more than Rs 1 lakh each, while three others transferred sums exceeding Rs 25,000.

These individuals did not appear for questioning.

Temporary workers, earning Rs 650 daily and compensated in bulk post-season, were found transferring funds during the pilgrimage to friends and relatives through money orders and bank transactions.

Vigilance officials suspect that these funds were illegitimately acquired at Sabarimala.

The court has instructed a thorough review of all transactions conducted at banks and post offices in Sannidhanam for the period of 2025–26 and has requested a detailed report within three weeks.