Thiruvananthapuram, 4 October (IANS) The controversy over the alleged irregularities in the gold plating of the Sabarimala temple has been snowed in a major political issue, as the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) said that there were no lapses, while Pandalam Palace demanded a communicative investigation.
TDB President PS Prasanth said on Saturday that there was no lapse from the board in the work of gold plating.
He clarified that the panels sent to Chennai for repair were not assigned to Annik Rrishnan Poti, as allegedly, and ‘Thiruvabharanam’ was taken under the police escort in the presence of the Commissioner.
“The order of 2019 mentioned copper panels, and the warranty compromise with smart works was in the name of Annikrishnan Poti, which is why he was involved. We would look for a comprehensive investigation, but the allegations are being leveled, being polled, politically inspired,” Prasanth said.
Refusing the allegations, Unnikrishnan Potty claimed that the panels given to him were copper, and also mentioned in Devaswom’s record.
He said that he was unaware of any previous gold offering and he never displayed panels or took him anywhere else.
“If I have done anything wrong, let the action be done. I am ready to cooperate with the investigating officers,” he said.
Officials of Devashwom Vigilance said that Pototi, which has already been questioned twice in Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru, can be called again if needed.
Meanwhile, the Pinarayi Vijayan government is considering handing over the case to the crime branch amid alleged ongoing evidence collection.
In a statement, Pandalam Palace said that the government should act responsibly and address public concerns.
This raised doubts over the work of gold-plating done in Chennai and questioned how the coating faded so soon.
The palace also urged the officials to verify whether the gold sheets donated by the liquor Baron Vijay Mallya were missing and they said that the major procedural norms set in 2019 were not followed.
According to tradition, Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of Sabarimala, was adopted as a child by the then king of Pandalam.
The royal family is thus considered as the worldly parents of the deity, and plays an important role in their rituals of the rituals.
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SG/SVN