PATHANAMTHITTA: Minister Saji Cherian said Sabarimala was looted during the tenure of the late former chief minister Oommen Chandy. Today, the UDF is shedding tears over the Sabarimala issue. The minister said this while talking at the reception organised by the CPM Puliyur Chengannur Town West Local Committee for Devaswom Board member P D Santhosh Kumar.

‘The opposition does not even know the reason for the protests related to Sabarimala. The roads to Sabarimala were damaged during the UDF's rule. You could see major potholes on the roads then. The people who travelled on the road during those times would return without a backbone. The maximum number of robberies in Sabarimala took place during the rule of late chief minister Oommen Chandy, added the minister.

Meantime, the crime branch has registered two cases in connection with the gold theft in Sabarimala, making Unnikrishnan Potty, one of the sponsors, the first accused. In addition, the members of the 2019 Devaswom Board have also been implicated in the case. A Padmakumar, the then president and Sankaradas K Raghavan, a member, are the two implicated. A total of ten, including Murari Babu, who was the administrative officer, were charged the other day. It is reported that further action, including arrest, will be taken soon. The gold was stolen by smuggling the gold plates of the Dwarapalaka idol in March 2019. The gold from the door frame of the shrine was stolen in August 2019. The same officials did not sign the Mahasar in both incidents. That is why two FIRs were filed.