Gold plates, including Dwarapalaka sculptures, to be removed; SIT takes special permission

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To find the deeper roots behind the gold theft, the authorities decided to remove the gold plates, including those in the Dwarapalaka sculptures, for detailed examination.

The Devaswom Board gave permission to a special investigation team for this. Samples of the plates will be sent for scientific testing. The test will be on Monday. The High Court had directed that a scientific test be conducted. Currently, the theft of gold from the Dwarapalaka sculptures and the gold-plated steps of the shrine are being investigated as two cases.

The SIT suspects that the gold from the door of the sanctum sanctorum was also stolen. The gold-plated steps weighed 42.100 kg. It is reported that 409 grams of gold were extracted from it after it was brought to Smart Creations. However, the SIT also suspects that the new one was made of copper and gold-plated instead of the old ones. The actual amount of gold lost will be revealed after samples are collected from various places and scientific tests are conducted.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that former board president A. Padmakumar, who received the SIT's notice, will also be arrested. The SIT says that the 2019 board meeting minutes have come back to haunt Padmakumar. The then board members are also under the shadow of arrest. It is learnt that all of them have signed the decision to convert the gold into copper and hand it over to the Potty. There is also a move to take Padmakumar into custody if he does not appear for questioning. The High Court has stayed the arrest of former board secretary S. Jayashree until Tuesday.