Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT looking into role of Devaswom Board

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft has now turned toward the Travancore Devaswom Board. The inquiry will look into the role of board members and presidents who served from 2019 to the present. Current president PS Prasanth and former president A Padmakumar are among those under the scope of the investigation..

According to sources, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has received information from the arrested suspects, Unnikrishnan Potty and Murari Babu, regarding the board’s possible involvement. The Devaswom Board has already been named as an accused in the case related to the theft of gold from the Sreekovil’s door frame. The SIT plans to formally arrest Unnikrishnan Potty in this case as well and take him again into custody. He is currently remanded in the first case.

Investigators are currently examining the minutes of the board meetings. Murari Babu is being questioned by the SIT. The team is also seeking evidence that the board had taken a favourable stance toward Potty. The High Court had earlier expressed suspicion over the decision to assign Potty the responsibility of gold plating again in 2025, just as he did in 2019. The SIT has been directed to look into this as well.

No more delays in handing over records
The SIT has instructed the Devaswom Board to hand over all documents related to the gold plating transactions immediately, warning that legal action will be taken if there are further delays. Key records include those related to the 1999 gold plating work carried out by Vijay Mallya, as well as documents from the Public Works Department. The board has claimed that it cannot locate some of these records, but the SIT has said that no more time will be given.

Potty remanded
Unnikrishnan Potty, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case, has been remanded by the Ranni Judicial First Class Magistrate Court until November 3. He is currently lodged in the Thiruvananthapuram sub-jail. His custody period with the SIT ended yesterday. When asked by the court if he had any complaints about police questioning or mistreatment, Potty said no. He claimed to suffer from epilepsy and mental distress, but the investigation team informed the court that medical care for him had been arranged. The second accused, Murari Babu, will be produced in court today.