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Sabarimala, Nov 17 (IANS) The investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft gained significant momentum on Monday as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) began crucial evidence-collection procedures from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
The collection was done in the interval when the temple closed after the morning session.
Acting on the express directions of the High Court, the SIT started selectively removing gold sheets from the temple structure to facilitate forensic testing.
The gold plates from the Dvarapālaka sculptures and parts of the right panel of the Srikovil were carefully separated to collect samples.
Officials said the sheets will be weighed, checked for purity and later reinstalled.
The process is the most conclusive step yet in confirming allegations that gold was taken out and replaced with inferior materials in the original renovation of the temple.
The SIT inspection is taking place at a time when questions regarding possible financial irregularities are also increasing.
The ED approached the high court after the Ranni court rejected its plea for access to the FIR, statements of witnesses and related documents from the state police investigation.
The central agency told the court that it suspected money-laundering links to the alleged misappropriation, and required complete documentation to conduct a parallel investigation into any illicit financial transactions.
A single bench of Justice CS Dias directed that the ED’s plea be placed before the Devaswom division bench, which is already hearing cases related to the gold plating case.
The bench said that considering the sensitive nature of the issue, the Chief Justice should determine the appropriate forum.
The court also said that judicial stability demands that all related petitions be heard by a single bench.
Investigators believe that the alleged thefts involving gold plating carried out on temple structures during 2019 involved significant discrepancies between the amount of gold allocated and the material actually used.
The new round of measurement and investigation by the SIT is expected to play a key role in establishing whether large-scale irregularities took place.
With both the SIT’s scientific investigation and ED’s financial investigation gaining momentum, the Sabarimala gold plating case has entered its most crucial phase, setting the stage for major developments in the coming weeks.
Apart from the main accused ‘sponsor’ Unnikrishnan Potti, five people are behind bars so far, four of whom are either associated with or former officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board.
–IANS
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