Is the door panel in strong room real, or did Unnikrishnan Potty steal that too? High Court remarks after SIT submits second report

KOCHI: The High Court has raised several doubts in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The High Court has directed that the door panel in the strong room should be examined to see if it is the real door panel. The door panel in the strong room at present was recovered from where the Ashtabhishekam is being held. The High Court's interim order says that it is to be examined to see if it is real gold plating.

It should also be investigated whether the present one is the original plating or whether that too was smuggled by Unnikrishnan Potty. Vijay Mallya gave a door panel covered with two and a half kilos of gold in 1999. The court also asked why the Devaswom officials trusted the unreliable Unnikrishnan Potty. The door panel covered with gold given by Unnikrishnan Potty weighed only 34 grams. The transactions made by Unnikrishnan Potty, who was arrested in the case, have the approval of the board officials.

A scientific examination should be conducted to find out how much gold was lost. The court also observed that Unnikrishnan Potty, in collaboration with Devaswom Board officials, had carried out suspicious activities. The court's remarks were made when the Special Investigation Team submitted its second investigation progress report today. ADGP H Venkatesh and investigating officer SP Sasidharan also appeared in the court. The case will be considered again after three weeks.