4 segments; recent plating: SIT's Sabarimala gold theft probe widens beyond 2019 irregularities

Pathanamthitta: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case has intensified its investigation into the removal of the Dwarapalaka sculptures’ panels for gold plating in September 2025, signalling a major widening of the case.

The indication came from the latest report submitted by the SIT to the Kerala High Court. Initially, the team was tasked only with probing irregularities reported in 2019. However, fresh details emerging in the fortnightly reports filed before the High Court have steadily expanded the scope of the investigation.

The continuous flow of new information led the probe to evolve into four distinct segments. The alleged removal of the Dwarapalaka sculptures’ layers for gold plating last year now forms the fourth segment of the investigation.

The first segment focuses on events dating back to 1998, when the Vijay Mallya-led UB Group undertook gold plating work at Sabarimala. While accused N Vasu and A Padmakumar had claimed in their bail pleas that no records existed for this exercise, the High Court, in a recent order, clarified that proper records were indeed available.

The second segment pertains to gold plating carried out in 2019 on the door frames and temple doors themselves, while the third relates to the gold plating of the Dwarapalaka sculptures.

As part of the fourth segment of the investigation, the SIT recorded the statement of former Travancore Devaswom Board president P S Prasanth two weeks ago. It is learnt that statements from other board members are also expected to be collected.

The names of Smart Creations owner Pankaj Bhandari from Chennai, jeweller Govardhan from Ballari, and first accused Unnikrishnan Potti were among the major names that surfaced in the 2019 gold theft case. Their alleged involvement has cast suspicion on the 2025 gold plating of the Dwarapalaka sculptures.

On September 7 last year, the panels of the Dwarapalaka sculptures on either side of the sanctum sanctorum were removed for gold plating. This was done without informing the special commissioner, a district judge appointed by the High Court.

After learning about the development, Special Commissioner R Jayakrishnan submitted a report to the High Court. This disclosure eventually led to details of the major irregularities of 2019 coming to light. At one stage, the High Court had even raised the question of whether the 2025 gold plating was intended to conceal the irregularities committed in 2019.

In connection with the recent gold plating, the SIT sought details from the current Thiruvabharanam (sacred adornments) commissioner. The investigation team learnt that the commissioner had interacted with representatives of Smart Creations regarding the gold plating of the flagstaff at the Sree Vallabha Temple in Thiruvalla.

Based on these interactions, the commissioner initially reported that Smart Creations was not sufficiently professional. The SIT, however, suspects that pressure was exerted to alter this assessment. According to information gathered by the investigation team, the commissioner submitted a revised report eight days later stating that Smart Creations possessed adequate expertise.