Sabarimala gold theft case: Scientific examination to be conducted on Nov 17, High Court grants permission

KOCHI: The High Court has granted permission to conduct a scientific examination at Sannidhanam in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case. It also directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to collect the samples after the Uchapooja on November 17. The decision was taken after considering the stance of Tantri Mahesh Mohanararu. Earlier, the SIT had sought permission to collect samples from the Sannidhanam, following a previous court directive. The team has to inspect whether the dwarapalaka panels were completely removed under the leadership of the accused Unnikrishnan Potty.

The examination will include removing small portions of the gold plating from the sanctum’s inner walls to check their weight and collecting one-centimetre-wide samples for chemical testing. Investigators believe this is necessary to gather accurate information about the missing gold. Meanwhile, it is said that former Devaswom Board president A. Padmakumar might appear for questioning soon. He had sought more time to appear for questioning yesterday, citing the death of a close relative. The remand report of arrested official N. Vasu reportedly points toward Padmakumar’s involvement.

According to the investigation team’s report to the court, the gold-plated wooden panels were falsely recorded as copper and handed over to Unnikrishnan Potty under Vasu’s supervision. At that time, Padmakumar was the president, and the orders issued by Vasu were allegedly approved by him. Investigators are now probing whether this was part of a larger conspiracy.