Kerala Court Orders SIT to Probe TDB Officials Over Alleged Substandard Ghee Supply

The Kerala High Court ordered the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged conspiracy involving Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials over potential substandard ghee supply for Sabarimala rituals from Milma. The court reviewed reports by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner and Chief Vigilance Officer, directing VACB to register a case based on the Vigilance Officer’s report and submit progress updates by September 3. Despite objections, TDB approved purchasing ghee from Milma at ₹510 per litre, abandoning an e-tender process that could have saved ₹2.27 crore. The team was instructed not to disclose details publicly.