Sabarimala gold theft; Replacing flagpole also under investigation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Reports say the Special Investigation Team (SIT) will investigate the replacement of the flagpole in the case related to the Sabarimala gold theft. Prayar Gopalakrishnan was the Devaswom board president when the flagpole was replaced in 2017. The SIT and Vigilance have started investigating this on the directions of the high court.

Meantime, Kollam Vigilance Court Judge C S Mohith has granted permission to the SIT to record the arrest of Kandararu Rajeevaru in the case of theft of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols of the Sabarimala shrine. The bail plea of the Tantri, remanded in the door frame case, will be considered on January 19.

Chennai Smart Creations, owned by the accused Pankaj Bhandari, yesterday sought more time to file the affidavit sought by the vigilance court. The affidavit was asked to be produced when permission was sought to obtain the signature of CEO Pankaj Bhandari, who is on remand, on a blank cheque to conduct financial transactions including salaries of employees. The court directed him to submit a detailed affidavit regarding the purpose of the money, the number of employees, the amount required for salaries, etc.

Bhandari was arrested on December 19. The remand of former Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar was extended till January 29. Padmakumar was arrested on November 20. Vigilance prosecutor advocate Siju Rajan appeared for the prosecution. The Kollam Principal Sessions Court will consider the anticipatory bail plea of former Devaswom Board member K P Sankaradas today.