Prasanth and Kandararu Rajeevaru in dock; SIT submits report to High Court

KOCHI: Seven people, including former Travancore Devaswom Board president P.S. Prasanth and Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, will be made accused in the case of smuggling the Sabarimala Dwarpalaka (gate guardian) sculptures to Chennai in violation of the rules in 2025. The SIT submitted a report to the High Court clarifying their role in the conspiracy with sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty.

It was found that the sculptures were brought to Chennai in 2025 and plated with gold to hide the gold theft in 2019. The charges include breach of trust and forgery.

The other accused are former Sabarimala executive officer Murari Babu, Unnikrishnan Potty, Smart Creations owner Pankaj Bhandari, Devaswom board member A. Ajikumar, and Thiruvabharanam commissioner Rajilal. Except for Prasanth, Ajikumar, and Rajilal, the others are still accused. Since the current bail is not applicable, the Tantri will also be arrested.

The Devaswom bench of Justice V Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K.V. Jayakumar suggested that a new case be registered or an additional charge sheet be filed.

The role of former board member Sundaresan, secretary Bindu, Tantri Mahesh Mohanararu, officials Sunila, O.G. Biju, Srinivas, Hemanth, V.S. Rajendra Prasad and jewellery owner Naga Govardhan will be investigated.

The investigating officer, SP S. Sasidharan, who appeared in person in the case, announced that the investigation has been completed and the charge sheet will be filed soon. The court, which directed that all the facts be brought out, granted time till July 20. Other petitions seeking a CBI investigation were adjourned to July 28.

1. The plan was to take the sculptures to Chennai under the pretext of gold plating again to cover up the 2019 fraud

2. As soon as P.S. Prasanth took charge, he made Unnikrishnan Potty a partner in the gold-stealing conspiracy

3. The board decided to take the sculptures to Chennai in 2025 in violation of the Devaswom manual and High Court orders