Gold Trail at Sabarimala Widens: SIT Flags Larger Plunder of Sacred Artefacts, Political Heat Rises
The controversy surrounding the alleged misappropriation of gold at the revered Sabarimala Temple has deepened further, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) now informing the court that the suspected theft extends well beyond the two artefacts initially identified.
Acting on the directions of the Kerala High Court, the SIT had earlier registered cases over the disappearance of gold plating from the Dwarapalaka idols and the door frames of the sanctum sanctorum.
However, in a detailed report filed before the vigilance court in Kollam, investigators have disclosed that the alleged tampering was far more extensive in scale and execution.
Seven More Temple Components Under Cloud
According to the SIT, gold plating has also gone missing from seven copper plates installed at the Prabha Mandalam, the ornate circular structure that envelops key idols inside the temple complex.
These plates are associated with depictions of Siva and Vyali roopam, a symbolic mythical figure integral to temple architecture, particularly visible near the sopanam—the sacred steps leading to the sreekovil.
Investigators believe the gold was deliberately separated from the copper base using a chemical process, allegedly carried out at Smart Creations, a Chennai-based firm.
The SIT claims the extracted gold is presently in the custody of Govardhan Roddam, a jeweller based in Bellary.
Custody Plea and Arrests
Seeking custodial interrogation to unravel the full chain of events, the SIT has named three key accused:
- Unnikrishnan Potty, described as a self-styled sponsor,
- Govardhan Roddam, the jeweller, allegedly holding the gold, and
- Pankaj Bhandar is associated with Smart Creations in Chennai.
They are among the ten individuals arrested so far in the case.
ISRO Scientists to Measure the Loss
In a significant move underscoring the technical complexity of the case, the SIT has sought expert assistance from Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, a premier unit of the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Scientists from VSSC are expected to collect samples from the gold-coated copper plates to scientifically determine the exact quantity of gold plating originally used on the artefacts—an exercise crucial to establishing the scale of the alleged loss.
Political Ripples Intensify
The investigation has inevitably taken on political overtones. Among those arrested are three leaders of the ruling CPI(M), including former legislator A Padmakumar.
Adding to the pressure, the SIT last week questioned former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, who was in charge of temple affairs in 2019—the period during which the alleged irregularities are believed to have occurred.
Court-Ordered Deep Dive
The matter came into sharp public focus in October after the High Court ordered a sweeping probe into the handling of temple valuables.
Former judge KT Sankaran was appointed to prepare a comprehensive inventory of Sabarimala’s assets, while the temple vigilance wing was directed to examine all allegations of malpractice.
Initial findings by the vigilance officer revealed that the gold covering of the Dwarapalaka idols had been removed without informing the court, a disclosure that triggered widespread concern and ultimately led to the present SIT investigation.
With fresh revelations now surfacing, the case is no longer confined to administrative lapses.
It has become a high-stakes investigation touching faith, governance, and accountability—one that is expected to significantly intensify scrutiny on the ruling establishment in Kerala in the days ahead.
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