Ramesh Chennithala urges SIT to probe international links in Sabarimala gold theft case

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala has urged the Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by ADGP Venkatesh, to investigate the Sabarimala gold theft case, citing links to smuggling gangs involved in the international black market for temple antiques.

In a letter to the SIT, Chennithala claimed that high-ranking officials in the Devaswom Board may have connections with gangs that are stealing antiques and divine objects from temples and selling them for billions of rupees internationally. He emphasised that the investigation should encompass the global dimensions of the Sabarimala case.

Chennithala said the letter is based on reliable information from a confidential source with direct knowledge of such smuggling operations. According to the source, a transaction worth nearly Rs. 500 crore has taken place in the gold theft case. The source is unwilling to disclose details publicly but is ready to cooperate fully with the SIT and provide a statement in court.

“The Sabarimala gold theft is not an ordinary theft but one with international dimensions. Those currently arrested are only co-accused. Its main organisers remain outside the scope of the investigation,” Chennithala wrote in the letter.

The letter notes that jeweller Govardhan, questioned by the SIT, is merely a middleman, while the principal conspirators are alleged to have strong international connections and substantial financial resources. Chennithala also highlighted the Kerala High Court’s observation that the methods employed by the Sabarimala gold theft gang resemble those of the Subhash Kapoor gang, which orchestrated the international black market for stolen antiques from the United States.

Chennithala further claimed that industrialists and organised rackets within Kerala could be involved in the case. He pointed out that the SIT has not recovered the missing Sabarimala items, suggesting international links.

He assured the SIT that he could provide additional information if the investigation is expanded to probe the wider conspiracy and connections to the international mafia involved in temple gold and antiques smuggling.