Mystery over Murari Babu's Rs two crore house; Vigilance joins fray in Sabarimala gold theft case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state vigilance was tasked with investigating the illegal amassing of wealth by the Devaswom officials, accused in the Sabarimala gold theft. A letter has been sent to the board seeking details of the salary and benefits paid to the second accused, Murari Babu, in the last 10 years. The vigilance also entered the fray following the SIT and the ED in the highly volatile case that tainted the repute of the Devaswom board. The assets of other officials involved in the gold theft will also be collected.

Vigilance assessed that Murari Babu amassed wealth beyond his means. It has been found that Babu has no other source of income other than his job at the board. Vigilance Special Cell officials from Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram visited the Nanthancode Devaswom Board headquarters on Thursday and inspected the files. The board was instructed to provide the documents within 10 days. There is also a mystery surrounding the fact that Babu splashed Rs two crore to build his house. They will also investigate whether the money obtained through irregularities was invested elsewhere.

The Vigilance assessed that Murari Babu also committed irregularities in the temples where he worked before assuming work in Sabarimala. The transactions and construction activities in these temples will be investigated. The audit documents conducted by the Local Fund Audit Section of the Board and the reports of the Devaswom Vigilance will be examined. Babu worked in various groups of the Board. The Board informed the Vigilance that it will collate the details and provide them.

An ED investigation is also underway against the accused Murari Babu, S. Sreekumar, and D. Sudheesh Kumar. Babu denied acquiring any property illegally during the ED interrogation.