Pathanamthitta, October 24 — The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has arrested transport contractor S S Binu in connection with the alleged diversion of ghee meant for the Sabarimala temple, in the first arrest in the case, The Indian Witness reported. Binu had been awarded the contract to transport ghee to Sabarimala for the 2025 pilgrimage season, and was summoned for questioning by the vigilance agency on Friday before being taken into custody.

Source: The Indian Witness

According to investigators, about 11,000 litres of Milma ghee procured for the temple were allegedly diverted and replaced with a cheaper product that was delivered to the shrine instead. The ghee is used in preparing Aravana payasam, the sweet offering distributed as prasadam to devotees at the Lord Ayyappa temple. The vigilance agency has estimated the alleged loss to the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple, at approximately Rs 2.5 crore, The India Print reported.

Source: The India Print

Officials said the original consignment was allegedly routed to two firms — Sri Venkateswara Traders and Leo Traders, both based in Ottanchathiram in Tamil Nadu — and that forged documents, including fake invoices, were allegedly used to facilitate the diversion. The precise role of the firms and of the individuals involved remains subject to investigation, and the allegations have not been established in court.

The procurement process has also come under scrutiny. According to officials cited in reports on the case, the Travancore Devaswom Board directly awarded the ghee supply contract to the Pathanamthitta dairy of Milma — the brand of the Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation — without inviting quotations, and the transportation contract was subsequently awarded to Binu. Investigators are examining how the alleged diversion was carried out and the arrangements under which the ghee was procured, transported and delivered.

The vigilance investigation follows a Kerala High Court directive to examine alleged irregularities in the procurement and quality of ghee supplied to the hill shrine. Officials said further investigation is under way to verify the documents involved, trace the movement of the original consignment and determine the responsibility of those connected with the transaction.