Sabarimala ghee scam widens as Vigilance finds involvement of TDB employees

The Vigilance team probing the Sabarimala ghee scam has found the involvement of more Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) employees in the fraud, with the investigation revealing that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of stolen ghee was distributed among them.

The prime accused, S.S. Binu, a transport contractor who allegedly masterminded the scam and facilitated the diversion of the ghee, distributed ₹20 lakh among Devaswom employees as their share, the investigation has revealed. Mr. Binu had received ₹50 lakh from the sale of 11,000 kg of Milma ghee stolen from Sabarimala to two companies in Tamil Nadu. The Vigilance has intensified its probe to identify those who received the money.

‘Records fabricated’

Besides Mr. Binu, TDB employee Jayalal, attached to the office of the ghee store superintendent, was also arrested in connection with the case. The Vigilance found that Mr. Jayalal ‘helped fabricate records’ to show that Milma ghee had been delivered to Sabarimala and facilitate the fraudulent claim of payment.

Meanwhile, official sources said a trader allegedly involved in the ghee scam had once again submitted a tender, quoting the lowest amount. However, the TDB decided to cancel the tender in view of the allegations against him and invite fresh bids.