Thiruvananthapuram,10 Dec (H.S.): In a crucial turn in the investigation into the alleged Sabarimala gold scam, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch will record the statement of senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala today.
The Haripad MLA is expected to appear before the probe team at the Crime Branch headquarters around 11 a.m.
The SIT’s decision follows serious allegations raised by Chennithala linking the theft of gold panels from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple to an international antique-smuggling network.
He had earlier submitted a letter to the investigation team claiming that the looted gold was handed over to middlemen connected to global smugglers of antiquities.
Speaking to reporters , Chennithala said he possessed material evidence to support his claims and expressed readiness to cooperate fully with the probe.
He further alleged that the scam involved a deal worth nearly ₹500 crore, triggering the SIT to issue him a formal notice for questioning.
Chennithala first revealed the fresh allegations on December 5 in Thiruvananthapuram. He told the media that there were indications of transactions involving a group allegedly linked to international antiquities dealer Subhash Kapoor, though he admitted that investigators were yet to secure concrete proof.
According to him, while the estimated local value of the stolen gold panels stands at around ₹50 crore, their worth in the international black market for antiquities could rise to nearly ₹500 crore.
He maintained that the theft was not the result of a local conspiracy but part of a larger, organised plot to smuggle rare and valuable temple artefacts out of Kerala.
“What is visible now is only the tip of the iceberg. This is a major international transaction involving a powerful smuggling network. The investigation must be expanded and all links exposed,” Chennithala said.
At present, the probe is largely confined to southern Indian states.
However, based on the latest claims, the investigation could soon widen to include foreign countries.
The prime accused in the case, Unnikrishnan Potty, had earlier told investigators that he sold the stolen gold to a jeweller named Govardhan in Ballari, Karnataka.
Disputing this, Chennithala alleged that the gold, identified as antique panels of the Dwarapalaka idols, was directly smuggled abroad after its historical value was verified.
He also claimed that a man based in Dubai had contacted him with details about the illegal transaction.
Sources said Chennithala is likely to provide further information to the SIT today, including details of an antique dealer operating from Chennai who allegedly acted as the key mediator in the illicit sale.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
