Attempt to smuggle idols of Padmanabhaswamy Temple, gang targeted Rs 1000 crore, crucial revelation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In addition to Sabarimala, the gold smuggling gang also targeted the idols of the Padmanabhaswamy temple, according to the statement of the expatriate businessman. The investigation team confirmed that D Mani (Diamond Mani), who the expatriate businessman alleged was involved in the gold smuggling, is Balamurugan of Dindigul. The expatriate businessman's statement says that he and his gang were introduced to him by people close with former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The businessman revealed that this gang is still moving around with money to smuggle idols.

D Mani and his gang targeted 1000 crores in Kerala. D Mani bought the Panchaloha idols. The businessman's statement said idols were smuggled from Sabarimala on a larger scale than gold smelting. In 2019-20, four Panchaloha idols were sold to an international antiquity smuggling gang. D Mani bought these. Unnikrishnan Potty was the middleman. The statement also said the idols were given by a high-ranking official in charge of Sabarimala administration.

The money for smuggling the idols was handed over in the capital city on October 26, 2020. The statement also stated that only D Mani, Unnikrishnan Potty and a top official were present at the time of transferring the money. The businessman said that he knew all these things firsthand. However, the special investigation team is examining whether the statement is true. So far, no information has been received about the loss of the Panchaloha idols.