Sabarimala gold theft case expands; gold covering Ayyappa’s prabhamandalam was also stolen

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has found that the gold coating covering the prabhamandalam of Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala temple was also stolen. The theft involved the prabhamandalam fixed above the sanctum door frame, which features sculptures of Lord Shiva and vyali figures.

Gold coating was also removed from two copper plates depicting the Dashavatara, two plates engraved with zodiac symbols, and the plate fixed on the upper step of the sanctum door frame.

The SIT said the quantity of gold stolen from the dwarapalaka sculptures and the door frame was higher than earlier estimated. Preliminary findings indicate that 989 grams of gold was stolen. Officials said the total amount could increase once scientific examination at the VSSC is completed.

According to the investigation, the gold plates on the dwarapalaka sculptures were removed on July 19, 2019, while the pillar plates were taken off on July 20, 2019. Records show that 989 grams of gold was separated after the material was taken to Smart Creations in Chennai. Of this, 96.021 grams was retained by Smart Creations as labour charges, while 394 grams was re-coated onto plates. The remaining 474.957 grams was delivered to Rodham Jewellery owner Govardhan through Kalpesh, an intermediary of Unnikrishnan Potty. The SIT later seized 109.243 grams of gold from Pankaj Bhandari and 474.96 grams from Rodham Jewellery.

The investigation found that the stolen gold was used by the accused for personal purposes. The SIT said A. Padmakumar, N. Vasu, K. S. Baiju, D. Sudheesh Kumar and Murari Babu conspired with Unnikrishnan Potty to carry out the theft.

Kadakampally likely to be questioned again
Former minister Kadakampally Surendran may be questioned again in the gold theft case. The SIT said there were contradictions in the statements he gave on Saturday. Unnikrishnan Potty was taken into custody on Wednesday and questioned about these statements. Former board president A Padmakumar will also be questioned in jail in connection with Kadakampally.

The investigation team will examine Kadakampally’s foreign trips during his tenure as minister. Details of 13 foreign visits made between 2016 and 2021 have been collected, of which five were private trips. Information on his travel to Bengaluru and Chennai will also be gathered. Investigators have received information that Kadakampally met Potty at a star hotel in Bengaluru. Kadakampally has stated that he visited Bengaluru to attend a programme of the Malayali Samajam.