Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday passed an interim order permitting Smart Creations, a Chennai-based firm, to continue repair works on the gold plating of the Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala temple and to return them immediately upon completion.

The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar was hearing a suo motu petition based on a report from the Special Commissioner stating that the gold plating had been removed without prior intimation. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), with sponsorship from devotee Unnikrishnan Potty (7th respondent), had sent the items to Smart Creations (8th respondent) for electroplating.

The TDB informed the Court that of the 12 pieces, four pieces showing no fading had undergone lacquer coating and could be safely returned. Another four, already polished, would be transported only after lacquer coating to avoid damage. The remaining four pieces, badly worn and damaged, required re-plating after removal of the old layer. The separated gold, currently in liquid form in a cyanide solution, would be converted into ingots within 7–10 days, after which re-plating on copper sheets would take four days.

The Board further submitted that the repaired items would be stored in the Aranmula strong room until the Kannimasa Pooja. They would then be refitted on the Dwarapalakas after Sudhi rituals suggested by the Thanthri and with Anujna from the deity.

Observing the submissions, the Court said that, "As further records are awaited and the gold is presently in liquid form, we find it necessary to direct Smart Creations to complete the process already underway. No purpose would be served by retaining the Dwarapalakas with the 8th respondent. Nevertheless, we strongly deprecate the removal of gold plating without notifying the Special Commissioner and express discontent that the plates were handed over without a precise inventory of the gold content. We direct the 8th respondent to complete the pending work forthwith, and upon completion, return the items immediately to Sabarimala."

Earlier, the Court had directed TDB to bring back the removed gold plating. It later impleaded Potty and Smart Creations suo motu and sought all records of the repair works. The Superintendent of Police, Chief Vigilance, and Security Officer (5th respondent) were also directed to seize records of gold cladding and plating of the Dwarapalakas, door lintel, door panel, Lakshmi Roopam and Kamanam, from the time of the original cladding.
(With LiveLaw inputs)