Thiruvananthapuram, January 9, 2026 – The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the high-profile gold misappropriation at Sabarimala temple questioned former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) secretary S Jayasreeon Thursday, officials confirmed.

The investigation centers on gold sheets that once adorned the ‘dwarapalaka’ (guardian) idols of the temple, which were reportedly handed over for renovation in 2019 and later misappropriated. Jayasree, who held the position of TDB secretary at the time, is the fourth accused in the ongoing case.

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Background of the Case

According to SIT officials, the gold sheets were initially transferred for renovation to Unnikrishnan Potty, one of the key accused in the case. Jayasree signed the order authorizing the handover during her tenure as TDB secretary, which ran from July 2017 to December 2019. After stepping down as secretary, she served as Thiruvabharana Commissioneruntil her retirement in May 2020.

Jayasree has consistently maintained that she acted solely on the directions of the TDB and did not make the decision independently.

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Interim Protection and Health Concerns

Jayasree attended questioning at the SIT office in Thiruvananthapuram, accompanied by family members. She has been receiving interim protection from arrest granted by the Supreme Court in December 2025, citing health concerns. She is undergoing treatment for a kidney-related ailment.

The SIT has been granted an additional six weeks by the Kerala High Court to continue probing the two cases linked to the Sabarimala gold theft. To date, 10 individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.

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Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are closely examining the chain of custody and authorization of temple assets, with Jayasree’s testimony expected to shed light on administrative orders and potential lapses in supervision during the 2019 renovation project.

The case has drawn significant public attention due to its religious and administrative implications, as Sabarimala is one of Kerala’s most prominent temples, and the misappropriation involves valuable gold artifacts considered sacred.

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