The Kerala High Court has directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a court-monitored probe into the alleged loss of 4.54 kg of gold from the gold-plated Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar appointed Additional Director General of Police H Venkatesh to lead the SIT, assisted by Assistant Director (Administration) Sasidharan S IPS and other police officers, including inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors from various stations. The Court emphasised that the SIT must not interact with the press or public and complete the investigation within one month, Bar and Bench reported.’

The probe follows revelations that the Chennai-based firm ‘Smart Creations’, entrusted with repairing the plates under the sponsorship of devotee Unnikrishnan Potti, received only about 38 kg of gold-covered items out of the 42.8 kg handed over by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), leaving a discrepancy of 4.54 kg. The Chief Vigilance Officer’s report also noted that certain gold-plated pedhams were later recovered from Potti’s sister’s residence.

Allegations of missing gold date back to 1998, when industrialist Vijay Mallya sponsored the plating of the sanctum sanctorum.

The Court further allowed the vigilance officer to open the Sabarimala strong room to compare the idols with 2019 photographs, ensuring all discrepancies are investigated. Retired judge Justice KT Sankaran has been appointed to oversee a complete inventory of all valuables at the temple due to inaccuracies in TDB records.

UDF PROTESTS IN ASSEMBLY

The Kerala Assembly was adjourned on Monday after the opposition Congress-led UDF staged a protest demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan over the gold-plating controversy. UDF members disrupted the Question Hour, raised slogans, and held a banner at the Speaker’s podium labeling those involved as “temple thieves.” Speaker A N Shamseer and Parliamentary Affairs Minister MB Rajesh criticized the protest, calling it a tactic to avoid discussion.

Opposition leader VD Satheesan alleged a long-standing partnership between certain Travancore Devaswom Board officials and the government in the wrongdoing, demanding a CBI probe.

Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan countered, saying the Devaswom Vigilance is already investigating under the High Court’s direction and that the government fully supports a comprehensive inquiry. Vasavan emphasized that all matters from 1998 to 2025 must be examined and that the government cannot interfere in the day-to-day affairs of Sabarimala. He added that four kilograms of gold found at Potty’s house have been verified by police, and any lapses by officials must be investigated.

The Assembly is set to resume on Tuesday.

– Ends

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