Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 30 (IANS) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case on Thursday tightened its investigation and took appropriate action against Travancore Devaswom Board officials who failed to follow its instructions.
The decision came on a day when the 14-day police custody of Unnikrishnan Potti – the main accused in the two FIRs instituted by the Kerala High Court – ended, and he was remanded to judicial custody.
Potti, who was in SIT custody for questioning, was produced before the court and sent to Thiruvananthapuram special sub-jail.
His lawyer informed the court that he was suffering from epilepsy and being in jail would cause health problems.
However, the prosecution assured that all necessary medical facilities were available in the jail.
Meanwhile, the SIT informed the court that Potti’s arrest in the second case – related to the theft of gold plating from the Kattilappally panels of Srikovil – would be officially recorded on Friday.
He will be produced in Ranni court on November 3 for custodial interrogation.
The team has already filed a request for his custody in another case.
The SIT has also arrested the second accused Murari Babu in both the theft cases.
The investigators conducted joint questioning of the two focusing on an alleged conspiracy to falsely register gold-plated panels as copper during maintenance works of the temple.
Earlier searches conducted in Bengaluru and Chennai had recovered gold which matched the quantity and purity of the stolen Sabarimala gold.
Recently, the SIT produced 608 grams of recovered gold before the Ranni court as part of evidence collection.
The investigation team has also toughened its stand against some Devaswom officials for failing to submit required documents.
The SIT warned that legal action would be initiated against officials hiding records related to the 1999 gold plating operation.
Investigators said the temple’s renovation and maintenance records are crucial to locating the stolen gold, and further delays would not be tolerated.
–IANS
sg/and