Another day, another scam. Once again in Sabarimala. The Kerala state police’s intelligence wing has flagged alleged large-scale irregularities in the handling of ‘nei thenga’ (ghee-filled coconuts) offered by devotees at the Sabarimala Temple, raising concerns over diversion of ritual offerings meant for the sacred ‘aazhi’ (fire pit), as reported in The New Indian Express.
According to an intelligence report submitted to senior authorities, contractors engaged in the collection of coconuts are suspected of diverting significant quantities to private godowns instead of consigning them to the ritual fire. The report estimated that the alleged illicit trade may have generated up to ₹50 lakh per day and potentially reached ₹20 crore during the last pilgrimage season.
The matter has been escalated to officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), including the Sabarimala Special Commissioner and the Executive Magistrate, sources indicated.
As per the report, a Bengaluru-based firm had secured the contract to collect coconut offerings for ₹7.61 crore. The contractor had deployed workers with authorised ID cards in shifts throughout the pilgrimage season, operating both during the day and night.
The intelligence findings cited an incident on April 14, when an individual was intercepted carrying sacks filled with broken ‘nei thenga’ pieces. Upon questioning, the individual reportedly stated that the coconuts had been collected from devotees under the pretext of offering them in the ‘aazhi’, allegedly on the contractor’s instructions, and that he was paid a commission of ₹7 per kilogram.
The report further stated that devotees had confirmed handing over coconuts in good faith, believing they would be used in the prescribed ritual. The individual apprehended was found to be carrying a contractor-issued identification card, and the Sannidhanam police subsequently seized the materials.
Sources indicated that the collected coconut pieces were allegedly being sold to third parties, with oil production units reportedly showing demand for such material due to its ghee content.
Further details from the intelligence inputs suggested that the individual had claimed that around 15 workers were engaged in collecting coconuts from devotees, while approximately 165 personnel were deployed during the previous pilgrimage season. It was reported that an efficient worker could collect up to 500 kg of ‘nei thenga’ in a single day.
Officials involved in the operation also indicated that two additional individuals carrying similar consignments were intercepted on the same day.
The alleged malpractice was reported to have been uncovered by a special unit of the state intelligence wing operating under the supervision of Intelligence ADGP P. Vijayan.
Sources within the Travancore Devaswom Board confirmed that a formal complaint has been placed before the Sabarimala Special Commissioner and the Kerala High Court’s Devaswom Bench, which is expected to review the findings and decide on further action.
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