Sabarimala ghee scandal: Crime Branch probe ordered after quality failures
Synopsis
Sabarimala is facing its second major crisis in months — first missing gold, now allegedly substandard ghee supplied for sacred rituals. With all six tested batches reportedly failing quality checks out of 30 delivered, the Kerala government has ordered a Crime Branch probe and announced digital tracking of future consignments. For millions of Ayyappa devotees, the scandal cuts to the heart of religious trust.
Key Takeaways
Crime Branch probe ordered into alleged supply of substandard ghee at Sabarimala on 31 July .
Travancore Devaswom Board contracted Milma for 1.65 lakh litres of ghee for the 2025-26 pilgrimage season; 1.5 lakh litres delivered in 30 batches .
All six batches tested reportedly failed quality standards.
Devaswom Minister K.
Muraleedharan called the findings 'shocking,' terming it worse than routine food adulteration.
Government announces mandatory quality testing for every ghee batch and end-to-end digital tracking of future consignments.
Controversy follows an earlier unresolved row over alleged disappearance of gold ornaments from the temple.
Kerala's Sabarimala temple is facing fresh controversy after substandard ghee was allegedly supplied for one of its most sacred rituals, prompting Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan to order a Crime Branch investigation on 31 July. The development follows an earlier furore over missing temple gold, deepening concerns about the administration of one of Hinduism's holiest pilgrimage centres.
What the Investigation Found
The Travancore Devaswom Board had contracted Milma to supply 1.65 lakh litres of ghee for the 2025-26 pilgrimage season. Of this, 1.5 lakh litres were delivered across 30 batches of 5,000 litres each. Only six batches were tested — and all six reportedly failed quality standards.
The findings were contained in a report submitted by Devaswom Secretary Rajamanikyam, which the minister described as 'shocking.' The Crime Branch will now determine whether the alleged quality compromise occurred at the supplier's end or after the consignments reached Sabarimala.
What the Minister Said
Minister Muraleedharan was unambiguous about the gravity of the episode, calling it far more serious than a routine food adulteration case. 'This is not merely about substandard ghee. It is about deceiving, cheating and exploiting the faith of devotees,' he said. He added that all those found responsible would be brought to justice.
Safeguards Announced
To restore devotee confidence, the government has announced a set of corrective measures. Every batch of ghee used at Sabarimala will now undergo mandatory quality testing before use. Future consignments procured from outside agencies will be digitally tracked from the manufacturing unit to the shrine, with an end-to-end digital movement register documenting each stage of the supply chain.
A Pattern of Concern
This is the second major controversy to hit Sabarimala in quick succession. The temple administration is still contending with questions over the alleged disappearance of gold ornaments — a case that has yet to be fully resolved. Taken together, critics argue, the two episodes point to systemic vulnerabilities in the management of one of India's most visited pilgrimage sites, which draws millions of Ayyappa devotees each season. The Crime Branch probe is now expected to trace accountability across the entire supply chain and answer how irregularities of this scale reportedly went undetected at a shrine of such religious significance.
Point of View
Now allegedly adulterated ghee — suggest that Sabarimala's administrative problems are structural, not incidental. The fact that only six of thirty delivered batches were tested, and all six failed, raises an uncomfortable question: what was in the remaining twenty-four? The government's corrective announcements — digital tracking, mandatory testing — are the right direction, but they are reactive, not preventive. For an institution managing the faith of millions, that gap between intent and oversight is the real story mainstream coverage is underplaying.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sabarimala ghee controversy?
The Sabarimala ghee controversy involves allegations that substandard ghee was supplied by Milma for sacred rituals at the temple during the 2025-26 pilgrimage season. All six batches that were tested reportedly failed quality checks, prompting the Kerala government to order a Crime Branch investigation.
Who ordered the Crime Branch probe into the Sabarimala ghee case?
Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan ordered the Crime Branch investigation after reviewing a report submitted by Devaswom Secretary Rajamanikyam, which he described as 'shocking.' He stated that those responsible would be brought to justice.
How much ghee was supplied and how many batches were tested?
Milma delivered 1.5 lakh litres of ghee in 30 batches of 5,000 litres each, against a contracted quantity of 1.65 lakh litres. Only six batches were tested, and all six reportedly failed quality standards.
What corrective steps has the Kerala government announced?
The government has mandated quality testing for every batch of ghee before use at Sabarimala. Future consignments from outside agencies will be digitally tracked from the manufacturing unit to the shrine using an end-to-end digital movement register.
How does this relate to Sabarimala's earlier gold controversy?
Sabarimala had earlier faced questions over the alleged disappearance of gold ornaments from the temple, a matter that remains unresolved. The ghee scandal is the second major controversy in quick succession, raising broader concerns about systemic lapses in temple administration.
