CBI on fray to retrieve Sabarimala gold; officials begin examining remand reports

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) may likely follow the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The Devaswom bench had sought the stance of CBI on the petition filed by BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar seeking a CBI investigation into the case. CBI will express its willingness when the case is considered next time. If CBI enters the fray, the investigation will permeate to more players, including top politicians. Black money and real estate transactions will also be exposed.

The CBI started examining the remand reports, statements and documents with the ED. Since there are allegations that the gold bars were smuggled abroad and melted down, and sold in other states, an effective investigation is the need of the hour.

The High Court expressed doubts whether the original gold bars were smuggled, then made new ones out of copper, plated with gold and returned. Following this doubt, the gold bars currently in the shrine are being tested in the VSSC lab. This result will be crucial.

The SIT has still not initiated any action to arrest a few of the accused. The High Court had severely criticised the SIT the other day, pointing out that their lapse would affect the credibility of the investigation.

Later, Pankaj Bhandari, CEO of Chennai Smart Creations, who melted the gold, and Govardhan, the jeweller in Ballari, who bought the gold, were arrested. The High Court had also criticised that the investigation did not even extend to the former members of the board.

There is still more clarity required on where the looted gold was taken. The 470 grams of gold seized from Govardhan's jeweller in Ballari did not belong to the Sabarimala temple. If the whereabouts of the gold remain hidden, the case will eventually weaken.

• The SIT received information that the gold bars were brought to Dubai and handed over to a gang of underworld criminals, which has now reached another Arab country.
• Only CBI can investigate in foreign countries in collaboration with Interpol. IPS officers attached to embassies abroad will help the CBI in information collection and investigation. Conspiracies in other states can be unravelled, and looted gold can be recovered.
• Idols and gold ornaments with divine elements can fetch crores in the international black market
• Rare idols and sculptures from India are in many art houses, while private collectors in the US, Europe, Australia, and the Gulf will splash humongous money to possess these souvenirs.