The investigation into the alleged theft of gold-plated panels from the Sabarimala temple, specifically involving the Dwarapalaka (door guardian) idols and sanctum sanctorum doors, has raised significant doubts over whether the gold-plated layers taken from the temple were replaced with new ones, selling the original ones to international smuggling gangs.
Although the final results of the sample test conducted by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) have come out, there is no definitive answer to the question over whether the gold-plated copper sheets were smuggled out in their entirety and new layers were installed.
To clear the confusion, samples of the gold-plated sheets from Sabarimala will be collected again and tested in another lab with better facilities. The investigation team will submit a report to the High Court on Monday, clarifying the approximate amount of gold lost and the need for further testing.
Meanwhile, former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran’s claim that he had gone to the house of the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty only once has proved wrong with more photos showing the prime accused with him have surfaced.
Earlier, Kadakampally had said he visited Potty’s residence only once, claiming it was in response to an invitation for a function. A photograph of the visit had also emerged at the time. However, a local later claimed that Kadakampally had visited Potty’s house in Pulimath on multiple occasions, a claim the former minister denied. The latest image now suggests that Surendran visited Potty’s residence more than once.
In this connection, more images have surfaced showing UDF convener and Attingal MP Adoor Prakash standing with Unnikrishnan Potty, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case, and his friend.