Sabarimala gold scam accused Murari Babu dies of cancer while on bail
Synopsis
Murari Babu, the second accused in the Sabarimala gold scam, has died of cancer while on bail — taking with him a key accused in a case involving alleged theft of gold-plated panels from one of India's most visited temples. With investigations still live, his death raises fresh questions about the case's trajectory and the accountability of those who remain.
Key Takeaways
Murari Babu , second accused in the Sabarimala gold scam , died at Amrita Hospital, Kochi on 13 June after treatment for cancer.
He was the former Administrative Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) , suspended after being named an accused.
The case involves alleged misappropriation of gold-plated panels removed from Sabarimala temple door frames and Dwarapalaka sculptures.
Murari Babu had claimed the panels were recorded as copper based on a letter from the temple priest .
The Vigilance wing alleged he accumulated assets worth crores despite holding a low-level post, and probed a luxury house at his Changanassery property.
Investigations and legal proceedings in the broader Sabarimala gold case are still ongoing .
Murari Babu, the second accused in the Sabarimala gold scam and former Administrative Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), died at Amrita Hospital in Kochi on Saturday, 13 June, after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was out on bail at the time of his death, even as investigations and legal proceedings in the case continued.
Who Was Murari Babu
A native of Perunna in Changanassery, Murari Babu began his career by joining the police as a constable in 1994, but quit before completing training. He subsequently joined the Travancore Devaswom Board in 1997 and rose through the ranks, serving at prominent temples including Ettumanoor, Vaikom, and Thirunakkara. His funeral was scheduled at his residence in Perunna at 3 pm on Saturday.
The Sabarimala Gold Scam Allegations
Murari Babu was named the second accused in connection with the alleged theft and misappropriation of gold-plated panels removed from the door frames and 'Dwarapalaka' (guardian deity) sculptures at the Sabarimala temple. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been probing allegations that these gold-plated panels were misappropriated after removal. During questioning, Murari Babu had claimed that the panels were recorded as copper based on a letter from the temple priest.
He was suspended from service after being named an accused. Notably, his appointment as Administrative Officer at Sabarimala came despite a High Court directive against posting employees facing allegations in sensitive positions — a contradiction that drew sharp scrutiny from investigators and the public alike.
A Pattern of Alleged Irregularities
The Vigilance wing had alleged that Murari Babu accumulated assets worth crores during his TDB tenure despite holding a relatively low-level post. Investigators also examined the construction of a luxury house at his ancestral property in Changanassery. Beyond the gold scam, his tenure was reportedly marked by multiple controversies: alleged irregularities in elephant contracts during major temple festivals, cases involving missing gold and silver articles from temple premises, questions over the handling of a fire incident at the Ettumanoor temple, and the fixing of gold-plated ornaments reportedly without proper approval.
Vigilance had further found that he allegedly communicated with a private company regarding gold-plating work on the Dwarapalaka sculptures without informing the Devaswom Board — a serious procedural violation, according to investigators.
What Happens to the Case Now
Murari Babu's death does not automatically close the broader Sabarimala gold case, which involves multiple accused and is still under active investigation and legal proceedings. His passing removes a key accused from the dock, potentially complicating the evidentiary trail. Investigators and legal observers will be watching how the SIT and courts proceed with the remaining accused in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
The SIT must ensure the evidentiary record is robust enough to proceed against those who remain — or risk the case losing its momentum at a critical juncture.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Murari Babu and what was he accused of?
Murari Babu was a former Administrative Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the second accused in the Sabarimala gold scam. He was under investigation for the alleged misappropriation of gold-plated panels removed from the door frames and Dwarapalaka sculptures of the Sabarimala temple.
How did Murari Babu die?
Murari Babu died of cancer at Amrita Hospital in Kochi on 13 June. He had been undergoing treatment for the illness while out on bail in the gold scam case.
What is the Sabarimala gold scam?
The Sabarimala gold scam refers to allegations that gold-plated panels removed from the Sabarimala temple's door frames and guardian deity sculptures were misappropriated. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been probing the case, which involves multiple accused from the Travancore Devaswom Board.
Will Murari Babu's death affect the ongoing investigation?
Murari Babu's death removes a key accused from the case, but investigations and legal proceedings involving other accused are still continuing. The SIT is expected to proceed with the remaining accused, though the evidentiary implications of his death will likely be assessed by the courts.
What other allegations surrounded Murari Babu during his TDB tenure?
Beyond the gold scam, the Vigilance wing alleged that Murari Babu accumulated assets worth crores despite a low-level post, probed a luxury house at his Changanassery property, and investigated alleged irregularities in elephant contracts, missing gold and silver articles from temples, a fire incident at Ettumanoor temple, and unauthorised gold-plating work.
