Thiruvananthapuram: A fresh twist has emerged in the Sabarimala gold theft case, with the foreign businessman who alleged links between idol trader D Mani and international antique smuggling networks reportedly confirming the identity of the man questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Tamil Nadu.

According to media reports on Friday evening, the businessman said the individual quizzed by the SIT is the same D Mani he had referred to earlier in connection with the case.

The confirmation came after the businessman was shown photographs of the person questioned by the SIT. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala had earlier contacted the businessman to verify the identity, following which the confirmation was given, media reports said.

The development assumes significance as the individual was questioned in Tamil Nadu as part of the ongoing probe into the Sabarimala gold theft.

SIT summons man questioned in Tamil Nadu

The SIT questioned the individual in Tamil Nadu on Friday afternoon. After being questioned, the man told the media that he is not D Mani. He identified himself as M.S. Mani, also known as Subrahmanyam.

He claimed that he had used a friend’s phone number, which was allegedly misused, leading to confusion over his identity.

However, the SIT issued a summons to Mani to appear before the investigators in Thiruvananthapuram for further interrogation.

Statement to SIT and probe

Earlier, the foreign businessman had told the SIT that he had personally witnessed dealings involving Panchaloha idols with D Mani and Sabarimala gold theft case key suspect Unnikrishnan Potti in Thiruvananthapuram.

He had also stated that a prominent individual was present during these dealings. The SIT is now collecting further details on other participants and the exact locations where the alleged transactions took place.

The SIT is continuing its investigation across several districts in Tamil Nadu, including Madurai, Dindigul and Virudhunagar, as authorities probe alleged links between idol smuggling networks and the Sabarimala gold theft case.