Sabarimala gold theft case: Former Devaswom Commissioner N Vasu remanded in 14 days’ judicial custody

Pathanamthitta: Former Travancore Devaswom Commissioner and Board president N Vasu has been remanded in judicial custody for 14 days in the high-profile Sabarimala gold theft case. The remand report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) reportedly contains serious findings.

According to the SIT, Vasu conspired with other accused, causing a financial loss to the Devaswom Board. He was arrested as the third accused in the case relating to the gold-plating of the Sabarimala temple’s sanctum sanctorium door panels.

The Pathanamthitta court ordered his 14-day remand, after which he will be shifted to the Kottarakkara sub-jail. N Vasu is the first senior official to be arrested in the Sabarimala gold theft case.

The SIT informed the court that Vasu had interfered in the decision to exclude the mention of gold-plated panels from the renovation records and instead record them as copper plates. It also alleged that Vasu was instrumental in handing over the work to sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti. The team said that evidence clearly established a criminal conspiracy between Vasu and other accused.

Vasu was produced before the Pathanamthitta Judicial First-Class Magistrate Court around 7.10 pm by the SIT. Since the Ranni court was closed, the hearing took place in Pathanamthitta. He was presented before the magistrate in chambers. The charges against him include criminal conspiracy, forgery and gold theft.

At the time of the alleged theft in 2019, Vasu was serving as the Devaswom Board Commissioner. He reportedly directed on March 19, 2019 that the gold-plated panels be recorded as copper panels, which led to his inclusion as the third accused in the case. The SIT further stated that although Vasu knew that excess gold remained in the sponsor’s possession, he failed to take any action.