'Door frames safe but gold looted'; Crucial details emerge in Sabarimala gold theft case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More details emerged in the Sabarimala gold theft case. VSSC scientists stated that the gold from door frames has not been completely removed from Sabarimala. Scientists stated that the stolen items included gold covered with copper layers, and the ones presently in the temple are just copper layers.

The new details raise the involvement of an international racket in the temple gold theft case. VSSC clarified that the addition of mercury and related chemical solutions might have changed the structure of a few layers. There was no evidence to confirm that the layers were replaced with new ones.

The layers returned to the temple after renovation work carried out by Unnikrishnan Potty recorded a significant decrease in the gold quantity. The frame returned was original, but the gold was looted. The statement of the VSSC scientists says that only a change in the chemical composition had occurred in the layers. The special investigation team informed the High Court about the details of the statement. The sample taken from the old door is also crucial. VSSC will submit a final report including the comparative results of the test.

Meanwhile, four accused in the case were remanded for 14 days. Former Thiruvabharanam Commissioner K.S. Baiju, Smart Creations CEO Pankaj Bhandari, Ballari jewellery owner Govardhan and administrative officer S. Sreekumar were remanded for 14 days. The accused were produced before the Kollam Vigilance Court.