Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday ordered the state DGP to register a criminal case in the disappearance of gold from Sabarimala, media reports said.
A division bench of the court gave the ruling after the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) vigilance inquiry confirmed the disappearance of gold from the temple.
The court directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to probe the case to complete its investigation and submit a report within six weeks.
This comes following revelations that over 4.5 kg of gold went missing during restoration work of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols in 2019.
The court directed the state police to register a criminal case in this regard.
The court sought strict confidentiality in probing the case. The court directed SIT to submit its findings in a sealed cover directly to the court.
The High Court directed that the SIT should file a progress report every two weeks.
The court allowed the SIT to expand the investigation team by including two additional DySPs. The state police chief has been made a party to the case, and Unnikrishnan Potty has been prohibited from speaking to the media regarding the matter.
The High Court noted the questionable action of the Travancore Devaswom Board in giving the gold-plated copper plates to Potty in 2019 for electroplating.
The court highlighted that the Dwarapalaka sculptures and the shrine’s front and back doors were covered in gold at the time, and officials, including the Thantri and Melshanthi, were present.
The court reiterated that an independent and impartial investigation must identify the real culprits behind the alleged reduction and tampering of the gold. All documents seized in the case are to remain secured with the registrar.
Disappreance of gold from temple confirmed
