Sabarimala gold theft; SIT’s scientific examinations at Sannidhanam begins

PATHANAMTHITTA: The special investigation team (SIT) is conducting vital examinations in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft. The team that reached Sannidhanam has started collecting evidence. The gold-plated sheets have been removed for collecting samples. The act is following the directive of the Kerala High Court. The gold-plated sheets of the Dwarapalaka idols and the sheets on the right side of the sreekovil have been removed.

The team will collect the weight of the sheets of the side pillar of the gold-plated sheets of Dwarapalaka idols, the weight of the door frame installed in 2019, samples of gold from the temple area that has not been handed over to Unnikrishnan Potty, samples of copper plating on the Dwarapalaka idols and door frames etc.

Meantime, the devaswom employees gave a statement against former devaswom president A Padma Kumar in the Sabarimala gold theft. Their statement is that Padma Kumar gave full freedom to Unnikrishnan Potty, who was arrested in the case. They told the special investigation team that Potty’s relatives and friends used devaswom president’s room and special consideration was given to him in the pooja bookings.

Meantime, the high court will consider the plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today seeking documents of the cases registered by the state police in the gold theft. The ED has sought copies of documents such as the FIR and related statements. The ED approached the high court after the Ranni court rejected the application. The ED suspects a money laundering transaction in the Sabarimala gold theft and demanded documents and details of the cases for a detailed investigation.