ED to probe Sabarimala gold theft case; SIT books 2019 TDB members, Devaswom Commissioner

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will also join the investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case. The ED has begun collecting preliminary information following the registration of two FIRs by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the gold heist at the Sabarimala temple.

The ED will mainly investigate the financial transactions, money laundering, and black money activities related to the gold heist. It is learnt that the agency will soon file an Enforcement Case Information Report (ESIC). The ED will request a copy of the FIR of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is currently investigating the case. The ED will take further action only after receiving the copies of the FIR.

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The SIT on Saturday registered two FIRs in connection with the alleged gold heist at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, in which Unnikrishnan Potty, a priest-turned-businessman, has been listed as the main accused.

According to reports, members of the 2019 Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) have also been named as accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case.

So far, the Special Investigation Team has registered two FIRs. The first FIR is related to the theft of the panels of the Dwarapalaka sculpture. The second is related to the theft of the door panels of the shrine.

Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) members, including A Padmakumar, who was the TDB president in 2019, have been named as accused in the second FIR. The then Devaswom Commissioner N Vasu, Thiruvabharanam Commissioner, Executive Officer, Administrative Officer, and Assistant Engineer have also been booked by the SIT.

Two FIRs related to the Sabarimala gold theft have been registered since these incidents took place at two different times. The gold-plated layers of the Dwarapalaka sculptures were taken away, melted down, and stolen in March 2019. The incident of stealing gold from the door frame took place in August 2019.

The Vigilance report highlights the unauthorised removal of the Dwarapalaka sculpture by Unnikrishnan Potty for gold-plating work outside the Sabarimala Devaswom, attributing this to a failure of the TDB, which was at the helm of affairs in 2019. The Vigilance has sought action against the TDB, arguing the misstep cannot be pinned solely on lower-level officials.

Meanwhile, the inspection of the Sabarimala Sannidhanam is continuing under the leadership of Amicus Curiae Justice KT Sankaran. The High Court-ordered inspection of the temple’s strong room entered its second day on Sunday. The inspection aims to verify whether all valuables listed in the Devaswom Mahasar are present in the strong room.