Sabarimala gold plating row: Kerala HC orders SIT probe

The Kerala High Court has directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged loss of gold from the gold-plated Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala. The SIT will comprise high-ranking officers directly answerable to the Court. The investigation will be led by SP S Sasidharan. A special team, including the cyber unit, has been tasked with conducting the inquiry. The court has directed that the investigation must remain confidential.

As per, Bar and Bench, the court noted a startling disclosure: an email from Mr Unnikrishnan Potti to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President stated that he possessed some gold-clad plates after completing the repair works.

In the email, Potti requested the President to utilise the gold for the solemnisation of a girl’s marriage and sought his opinion on the matter.

The court stated that “various offences under the Indian Penal Code appear to have been made out in the case,” noting that the alleged conspiracy is not limited to Potti but also involves officials who handled the gold in violation of legal procedures.

“They must ensure that the actual perpetrators are brought to light and the investigation is to be carried out discreetly and with integrity,” the court said.

“We are of the view that a special team of officers of highest integrity are required to probe into this matter,” the order added.

The Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar had earlier ordered a vigilance probe after noting a 4.54 kg discrepancy in gold weight during the repair of gold-plated copper coverings at the temple.