Gold stolen from flagstaff as well; three Devaswom Boards under scanner, Prasanth likely to be arrested

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has found that the replacement of the flagstaff (kodimaram) at Sabarimala was aimed at taking the gold and valuable idols attached to it. With this finding, the Devaswom Board administration that was in power at the time of the flagstaff replacement in 2017 has also come under scrutiny. Sources said the issue will be included in the next investigation progress report to be submitted before the High Court.

The old flagstaff was removed in February 2017 after claiming that its lower portion had decayed. At the time, the Travancore Devaswom Board was headed by Congress leader Prayar Gopalakrishnan. The flagstaff was replaced after conducting a devaprasnam. The old flagstaff, which was built in 1971, was coated with several kilograms of gold. However, when it was dismantled, it was found to be made of concrete and in good condition, with no signs of damage. The replacement was carried out despite objections from the then Tantri.

Two Devaswom Boards that functioned during the time of the LDF government are currently under investigation. In the 2019 gold theft case, the entire board led by then president A Padmakumar has already been arrested. In another case related to 2025, former Devaswom Board president PS Prasanth and board member A Ajikumar are under investigation for handing over sculptural panels to Unnikrishnan Potty for gold plating. Prasanth was questioned recently and has been issued a notice to appear again. Ajikumar will also be questioned.

Documents destroyed
As per the rules, the metal from the old flagstaff should have been melted and reused. Though the idols and other items from the flagstaff were reportedly shifted to a strong room, they are now missing. The register containing details of the gold and idols attached to the flagstaff has also been destroyed, the SIT found. Apart from the smuggling of an 11-kg vaji vahanam made of panchaloha and coated with gold, idols of the Ashta Dikpalakas and alila designs have also gone missing. The SIT found that the vaji vahanam, which was later given to a major industrialist from Andhra Pradesh, was taken back after the gold theft investigation began. The vaji vahanam seized during a raid at the house of Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru has been produced before the court.

Investigators said the vaji vahanam from the flagstaff was handed over to Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru jointly by Prayar Gopalakrishnan and board member Ajay Tharayil. The vaji vahanam was made of panchaloha and gold-plated.

Prasanth also under scrutiny
Prasanth has landed in trouble for handing over sculptural panels to Unnikrishnan Potty again in 2025 for gold plating, despite Potty being accused of the 2019 fraud. The SIT is probing the lapse in handing over the panels for repair work without informing the High Court. Prasanth has been questioned twice and has been issued another notice. The sculptural panels, which were taken to Chennai without permission, were brought back following a High Court order.