Thiruvananthapuram, 7 Dec(H.S.): Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has written to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold scam, seeking a detailed investigation into the possible involvement of an organised antique smuggling racket in the alleged disappearance of gold from the doors and Dwarapalaka idols of the Ayyappa temple.
In his letter, sent to the SIT on Saturday, Chennithala alleged that those behind the gold theft had struck a clandestine deal running into nearly ₹500 crore. He said he was prepared to share further specific details and evidence before the probe team, but clarified that he would not disclose these in public at this stage, citing the sensitivity of the investigation.
According to sources, the former Opposition Leader has also claimed that certain businessmen could be linked to the scam and urged the SIT to examine possible connections between influential individuals associated with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the suspected antique smuggling network. He insisted that the probe should not be restricted to lower-level officials alone, but extended to the full chain of beneficiaries and facilitators.
The development comes close on the heels of a major judicial setback for two former top officials of the TDB. On Thursday, the Kerala High Court dismissed the anticipatory bail pleas of former TDB secretary Jayashree and former administrative officer S. Sreekumar, directing them to surrender before the investigating officer. The court also instructed the SIT to probe the larger conspiracy thoroughly and to ensure that the role of influential persons, if any, is not excluded from the investigation.
The case traces its origin to October 6, when the High Court constituted the SIT after taking suo motu cognisance of the missing gold, based on a report submitted by the Special Commissioner of the Travancore Devaswom Board. The report revealed that the gold-clad copper coverings of the Dwarapalaka idols and the peedam (base) on which the idols were installed had been removed without proper prior intimation.
The TDB had sent the items for electroplating to Smart Creations through devotee Unnikrishnan Potty. However, during court proceedings, it emerged that the weight of the gold had allegedly reduced by about 4 kg when the items were returned in 2019. Following this revelation, the Devaswom Vigilance conducted a preliminary inquiry and submitted its findings to the court.
On October 10, the High Court ordered the SIT, headed by ADGP (Crime Branch) H. Venkatesh, to formally register a case and begin a full-fledged probe. Since then, the SIT has arrested Unnikrishnan Potty, former TDB officials N. Vasu, A. Padmakumar and Murari Babu, along with two others. The investigation is now expanding into possible financial and smuggling links behind the alleged theft.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
