Sabarimala theft breakthrough: Stolen gold recycled into temples across TN and Karnataka

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant breakthrough in the Sabarimala gold theft case, Pankaj Bhandari, CEO of Smart Creations, has admitted to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that the stolen gold was diverted to renovate and gold-plate flagpoles in other temples. Bhandari revealed that these activities took place across various shrines in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Under the leadership of SP Sasidharan, the SIT has launched a series of inspections across neighbouring states to track every project managed by Smart Creations since 2020. The SIT is focusing on building a robust case through official statements from affected temples and a documented timeline of renovations, as the processed nature of the stolen gold makes physical recovery impossible. These witness testimonies and circumstantial links will be integrated into the final charge sheet to serve as the primary evidence in court.

While investigators initially recovered only 700 grams of gold from a jeweller in Bellary, a scientific assessment by the VSSC estimated the total theft at 1,700 grams. The mystery of the "missing" 1,000 grams was solved during Bhandari’s recent interrogation following his release on bail.

The SIT discovered that the accused used an unscientific chemical process to extract and separate the gold. A sample of the solution used for extraction has been dispatched to the National Metallurgical Laboratory in Jamshedpur. Results are expected this coming Wednesday, which will help the SIT define the exact chemical components for their formal report to the court. The investigation confirms that the firm used the gold stolen from the Sabarimala contract to fulfil their construction and maintenance obligations at other religious sites, effectively "recycling" the stolen wealth into new projects.