Vijay Mallya gold plating sanctum sanctorum should be probed; 467 kilos of gold handed over to Reserve Bank, says devaswom board

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Devaswom Board President P S Prashanth said the Travancore Devaswom Board has handed over 467 kilograms of gold to the Reserve Bank under the gold investment scheme. This gold is not used for poojas or other purposes, clarified P S Prashanth.

'We will request the high court to conduct a comprehensive investigation not only into the gold plating controversy that has been raised in Sabarimala, but also on Vijay Mallya plating the sanctum sanctorum with gold. 467 kilograms of gold belonging to category C, kept in 18 strong rooms under the Travancore Devaswom Board, was handed over to the Reserve Bank. Category A is of an ancient nature and category B is gold for festive purposes. This has been accurately accounted for and stored.

‘Not only the repair of the gold plating on the Dwarapalaka idols in front of the Sabarimala sreekovil and the pedestal on the idols, but also the activities of liquor baron Vijay Mallya since 1999 when he plated the shrine with gold should be investigated. We will soon approach the court for this,’ said Devaswom Board President.