‘Irregularities in minutes, probe role of devaswom board’; criticizes HC

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court said irregularities were noticed in the gold plating of the main door of the sreekovil of Sabarimala. The court has directed that an investigation be conducted into the specific role of many, including the officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board. The court has clarified that the transactions of Unnikrishnan Potty, who was arrested in the case, had the connivance of the board officials and that a scientific examination be conducted to find out how much gold was lost.

The court asked why the Devaswom officials trusted the unreliable Unnikrishnan Potty. The court assessed that these actions of the devaswom board were against the devaswom manual and the high court orders. The court found that with the help of Keezhshanthis, Unnikrishnan Potty entrusted Nandan to measure the gold-plated sheets and it was taken out when the temple was open. The Devaswom bench also asked the court to inform whether the Devaswom officials had accepted Potty's hospitality when he arrived in Chennai. The court observed that Unnikrishnan Potty had carried out suspicious activities with the support of the board officials.

The court examined the minutes of the board seized by the special investigation team. The court had also pointed that the minutes were not recorded after July 28. The court said irregularities were noticed even in the minutes. The court's remarks were when the special investigation team submitted the second investigation progress report today. ADGP H Venkatesh and investigating officer SP Sasidharan also appeared in the court. The case will be considered again after three weeks.