Sabarimala gold theft: Investigation extending to high-ranking officials, politicians

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The arrest of former Devaswom Administrative Officer S Sreekumar in the Sabarimala gold theft case confirmed that the investigation will extend to high-ranking officials, including politicians. The Special Investigation Team is trying to find evidence in this regard by questioning Sreekumar further. Sreekumar confessed that as an officer, he cleared the file on instructions from higher-ups. The SIT is gaining pace in the investigation, which had been slow following the local body elections.

Sreekumar was the administrative officer when the Dwarapalaka sculptures were taken out for gold plating in 2019. He was summoned with a notice and questioned for several hours before being arrested on Wednesday afternoon. Sreekumar's anticipatory bail plea was earlier rejected by the High Court. Sreekumar is the sixth accused in the Dwarapalaka sculpture case. Two former presidents of the Devaswom Board were also arrested in the case.

The SIT found that Sreekumar signed the Mahazar as a witness, and when the gold plates were returned on September 11, 2019, they were taken back without weighing. After a medical examination at the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital, Sreekumar was produced before the Kollam Vigilance Court and remanded. He will be taken into custody and questioned further. Former Devaswom Board Secretary and fourth accused S. Jayashree approached the Supreme Court seeking anticipatory bail.

SIT assessment found a serious breach of responsibility from Sreekumar upon the instructions of superiors. It is also assessed that, as an officer in charge of valuables, Sreekumar should have examined the contents of the Mahazar.