Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of Opposition of Kerala, VD Satheesan, on Tuesday alleged that the gold-plated Dwarapalaka plates of the Sabarimala temple were sold for crores of rupees with the knowledge and approval of the Travancore Devaswom Board and the state government.

Speaking to reporters after the 14th session of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, which was halted by protests from the Congress-led Opposition, Satheesan said the Kerala High Court findings had confirmed the Opposition’s long-standing claims of a “grave act of theft and sale” at Sabarimala.

“The court has made it clear that what occurred was a serious fraud. The original gold-plated Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) plates were taken out of the temple and sold at a high price, while a copper mould was sent to Chennai in their place. When it was brought back, the Devaswom Board pretended not to notice the difference in weight,” Satheesan said.

He accused the Board and the government of deliberately covering up the theft to protect senior officials from being implicated.

“Knowing everything, they re-appointed the same Unnikrishnan Potti in 2015 for the next round of gold work,” he added.

The Opposition is demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan and the dismissal of the Board. Satheesan said the High Court’s criticism validated the Opposition’s concerns.

He cited an email sent by Potty to then Board president N Vasu, requesting leftover temple gold be used for a wedding, adding:

“That was Ayyappan's gold. Vasu, who has CPI(M) connections, cannot claim ignorance.”

Satheesan also accused the government of hypocrisy in invoking judicial authority.

“Three present-day Ministers who once insulted and drove out Chief Justice VK Bali for ordering a CBI probe in the Lavalin case are now preaching respect for the courts,” he said.

He asserted that protests would continue “inside and outside the House until accountability is fixed.”

“The Sabarimala sanctity has been violated, devotees deceived, and public trust broken. Those at the top must answer for the theft that has shamed the state,” Satheesan declared.

IANS