Sabarimala gold theft: Scientific inspection will be vital; seeks permission from Tantri

PATHANAMTHITTA: The special investigation team has sought permission from the Tantri to conduct a scientific inspection at Sannidhanam in Sabarimala. Permission has been sought to Tantri Mahesh Mohanaru via devaswom board. The high court had directed this earlier. Many things have to be examined including whether the gold-plated sheets of Dwarapalaka idols have been removed completely.

The weight of the gold-plated sheets of the sreekovil will be taken out and examined. The gold, measuring 10 cm in diameter, needs to be collected and subjected to chemical testing. Only through this, more information can be collected. The tantri has presently not given permission for it. Permission can be given only after certain things including devaprasnam. The court has directed to conduct the scientific examination before November 15.

Most probably former devaswom president A Padma Kumar will appear for interrogation in the gold theft case. He had sought more time for grilling following the death of his close relative. The remand report of N Vasu points fingers to Padma Kumar.

The investigation team informed the court that it was Vasu who marked the gold-plated plated as copper and gave it to Unnikrishnan Potty. Padma Kumar was the president then. The investigation team has received evidence that Padma Kumar accepted the orders of Vasu, who was the commissioner then. It is being investigated whether this was part of a conspiracy.