The VACB arrested TDB employee Jayalal over alleged irregularities in Sabarimala's ghee supply. The probe points to diverted stock, falsified records and a loss of Rs two-and-a-half crore.Stock photo used for illustrationThiruvananthapuram,Oct 30, 2026 14:20 ISTThe Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) on Friday arrested a Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) employee over alleged irregularities in the supply of ghee to the Sabarimala temple during the 2025 pilgrimage season, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The employee, identified as Jayalal, is the second person arrested in the case.
The VACB had earlier arrested contractor S S Binu, who was given the contract to transport Milma ghee from the dairy to the shrine.According to VACB officials who spoke to PTI, Jayalal was posted at the TDB store manager's office during the last pilgrimage season. He belongs to the board's wing responsible for music and musical instruments.The VACB alleged that Binu diverted about 11,000 litres of ghee meant for the temple to two agencies in Tamil Nadu and replaced it with a cheaper product.
This allegedly caused the TDB an estimated loss of Rs 2.5 crore. Investigators found that records maintained at the Sabarimala store showed that the entire quantity of ghee had been delivered to the shrine.
However, officials said the substitute product allegedly supplied in place of the diverted stock did not reach Sabarimala in full.The agency alleged that Jayalal colluded with Binu by making entries in the registers showing that the ghee had been received at the shrine even though the entire quantity had not been delivered. Officials told PTI that Jayalal allegedly received a share of the contractor's earnings from the diversion.
The VACB team summoned Jayalal to its office, where his arrest was formally recorded. He will be produced before the Vigilance court in Kollam, officials said.The VACB's Special Investigation Unit is investigating the alleged irregularities following a Kerala High Court directive to examine the procurement and quality of the ghee supplied to the temple.The TDB had procured Milma ghee from the Pathanamthitta dairy of the Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation to prepare Aravana payasam, a sweet prasadam made with rice and jaggery and offered at the Lord Ayyappa temple.
The board awarded the supply contract directly to the dairy without inviting quotations, after which the transportation contract was given to Binu, officials said.The case centres on the alleged diversion of temple-bound ghee, the falsification of delivery records and the resulting financial loss to the TDB, with Jayalal and Binu arrested as the investigation continues.- Ends