A day after Devaswom Minister K. Muraleedharan criticised the Kerala High Court for what he called its “excessive interference” in the affairs of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple and other temples in the State, he clarified on Monday (July 13, 2026) that the government was not seeking a confrontation with the judiciary.

Speaking to the media in Kozhikode, Mr. Muraleedharan said the government needed greater freedom to function, particularly in matters relating to temple administration.

“The government is not seeking a confrontation with the court. At the same time, it has to protect its rights,” he said.

Gold theft case

On the Sabarimala gold theft case, the Minister said the High Court-monitored probe by a special investigation team (SIT) was under way and the government was not in a position to take any further decisions.

“The government is not in a position to take any action in connection with the alleged gold theft at Sabarimala, at present. The High Court has entrusted the investigation to the special investigation team (SIT), which has not yet filed its charge sheet. In such a situation, the government cannot do anything,” Mr. Muraleedharan said.

He said the case could proceed only if the SIT filed the charge sheet or the court directed it to do so within a specified time. Neither has happened so far, the Minister said, adding that inordinate delays in filing the charge sheet could benefit the accused by giving them an opportunity to destroy evidence and evade the law.

Mr. Muraleedharan said the government found itself in such a helpless situation that he made those remarks the previous day.

Functioning of TDB

The Minister said the issue extended beyond the alleged gold theft to the functioning of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). “If there are flaws in government decisions, the court can intervene. We have accepted judgments both for and against the government,” he said.

He noted that while the government appoints the Commissioners of the Cochin and Malabar Devaswom Boards, appointments to the TDB require a panel to be submitted to the High Court, which takes the final decision. “We only pointed out this shortcoming. It is not defiance of or disrespect towards the judiciary,” he said.

The Minister said the government should have the freedom to make decisions, with the courts stepping in only to correct errors. “That was the point I intended to make,” he added.

Responding to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K.S. Radhakrishnan’s demand that the Thazhamon family be removed from the post of Sabarimala Tantri, Mr. Muraleedharan said the issue was for the TDB to decide.

“The law vests the right with the Tantri family. However, doubts have arisen over the present Thazhamon Tantri, who himself has said he could be replaced by his son. Instead of making a decision, the board referred the matter to the High Court,” he said.

When it was pointed out that the TDB had the authority to decide the issue, the Minister agreed. “Yes, referring the matter to the High Court was a mistake. The board shirked its responsibility,” he said.

He said the board should have appointed a Tantri for the poojas instead of waiting for the court. “By citing the court proceedings, the board avoids responsibility, leaving the government unable to act,” he said.