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Sabarimala, Oct 22 (IANS) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has seized the minutes book of the Travancore Devaswom Board from 2019, which contained the decision to hand over gold sheets and plating material to now arrested Unnikrishnan Potti.
The seizure has become a significant turning point in the ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of gold used to offer the sacred structures of the Sabarimala temple.
In a report submitted to the Kerala High Court, the SIT said that members and employees of the Devaswom board had acted on behalf of certain individuals, and that this manipulation was itself evident from the official records.
Important documents recovered during the verification process have thrown light on the irregularities.
The SIT also pointed out that the board was reluctant to hand over the records and produced them only after repeated requests.
The court said that it appears that the present board has also attempted to conceal the theft, with both the Devaswom Board and the state government coming under the scanner.
Investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for the missing gold.
The crisis deepened after the High Court said that the concealment of the 2019 gold loss appeared to be deliberate, and this year’s gold plating had again been entrusted to the same sponsor, Unnikrishnan Potti.
The court directed that the investigation should not be limited to mere manipulation involving the Dvarapalaka panel and side panels, but should extend to uncovering the larger conspiracy behind the incident.
Following the court’s observations, the direction of the investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft has changed sharply, putting immense pressure on the Devaswom Board and the government to ensure a transparent and accountable investigation.
In a late night development, a team of top Kerala BJP leaders met President Draupadi Murmu at the Raj Bhavan, where she is staying.
President Draupadi Murmu will offer prayers at the famous Sabarimala temple on Wednesday, becoming the second President of India to do so. VV Giri was the first President to visit the holy abode of Lord Ayyappa.
–IANS
SG/DPB