K C Venugopal seeks HC-monitored investigation into loss of Sabarimala gold

All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary K C Venugopal, stating that what happened in Sabarimala was another form of gold smuggling, questioned Chief Minister Vijayan’s silence on such huge loot.

Speaking to media persons here on Friday, Venugopal asked why Pinarayi Vijayan, who reacted hastily on the issue of women entering the Sabarimala temple, is silent now. The chief minister has the responsibility to allay people’s concerns on this issue and clarify about the reality, he said, adding that those who stole Ayyappan’s property should be identified and booked before discussing the development of Sabarimala.

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There was a four-kilo shortfall in the gold that was taken for repair in 2019. The government cannot shirk its responsibility of handing over the gold to the same person who is accused of committing irregularities in gold plating.

He alleged that the government is complicit in looting the temple assets donated by devotees.

Expressing distrust in the ongoing Travancore Devaswom Board’s (TDB) investigation into the alleged irregularities of valuable gold-plated copper foils covering the intricate stone carvings at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, Venugopal sought a High Court-monitored investigation by a higher agency with sweeping investigative powers.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader VD Satheesan alleged that the TDB and the government are involved in the theft of gold from Sabarimala. He alleged that this is an issue that has shocked crores of Ayyappa devotees.

“The Devaswom Board authorities and the government knowingly conspired to loot the gold in Sabarimala. Its president and administrators have connived to take away the gold from Sabarimala. Therefore, the Board president should resign immediately,” Satheesan said.

He pointed out that the Dwarapalaka idols, gold plated in 1999 with a 40-year warranty, were inexplicably sent for replating in 2019.

He further said that the gold was transported to Chennai without the TDB approval and questioned why Unnikrishnan Potty, who sponsored the replating, was not an accused when the gold pedestal was recovered from his relative’s home.