Sabarimala gold loot case: Dramatic scenes at High Court; order listing out reasons to suspect conspiracy

KOCHI: The High Court Devaswom Bench heard the Sabarimala gold loot case yesterday amidst a dramatic backdrop. Only the investigating officers, including SP S. Sasidharan, were allowed inside the court. After asking the investigating officers about the progress of the investigation, the court called back the lawyers of the government and the Devaswom Board to announce the interim order.

Reasons to suspect a conspiracy

1. The Devaswom authorities took the initiative to hand over the Dwarapalaka sculptures and the doorframe to Unnikrishnan Potty in 2019.
2. On June 28, 2019, when the Deputy Commissioner (Finance Inspection) sought permission to hand over the plates to Potty on behalf of the Devaswom Commissioner, it was recorded as "copper layers".
3. The Peedhas, whose colour had not faded, were also sent later. When the Peedhas were returned in 2021, they were not recorded in the Thiruvabharanam register.
4. In 2024, the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner and Devaswom Smith assessed that the colour of the Dwarapalaka sculptures and Peedhas had faded. Yet, Unnikrishnan Potty himself was assigned to repair them in 2025, without calling for tenders or seeking expert opinion.
5. The 40-year warranty was not taken into account. This should be suspected as an attempt to hide the previous gold theft.
6. Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu, in his letter to the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner, allowed the Dwarapalakas to be moved, but insisted on repairing the parts of the door, the arch, etc., at the Sannidhanam itself.
7. Although the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner took the stand that the repairs should be carried out in the traditional manner at the Sannidhanam for the 2025 transaction, he changed his stance after talking to the board president.
8. Unnikrishnan Potti wrote to the Devaswom Board saying that the cost could be reduced if the old sculptures in the strong room were also handed over.
9. The series of events points to a deliberate attempt to hide the gold theft in 2019.
10. This also answers the reason why the special commissioner was not informed about the removal of the plates this year.