The case of gold allegedly missing from the famous Sabarimala temple of Kerala in the year 2019 has once again gained prominence. On Friday, June 26, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case interrogated the main accused Unnikrishnan Potti for almost 8 hours. At present, the investigation is in its final stages. It is expected that the SIT may submit the report of this case to the court next week.
What is the matter of gold missing from Sabarimala temple?
In July 2019, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which takes over the management of the temple, had given permission to assistant priest Unnikrishnan Potty to take him out to get new gold-cladding done on the idols. When the idols were brought back after two months, they were not weighed.
When this matter came before the court on the report of the Special Commissioner, after investigation it was found that gold had also been stolen from the pedestals and door frames of the statues. Apart from this, the weight of the gold plated copper plates of the sanctum sanctorum (Shreekovil) and gatekeeper idols of the temple was found to be less. Information came to light that a total of 4.54 kg gold was missing from the temple. The court had also constituted SIT in this matter last year.
SIT had arrested Unnikrishnan Poti
During the investigation, SIT arrested assistant priest Unnikrishnan Poti. The Travancore Devaswom Board entrusted the work of re-plating the gold-plated idols and other objects of the temple to Unnikrishnan Potty. Potty was granted bail after being in judicial custody for more than three months.
What do the investigating agencies suspect?
These gold-plated objects of the temple were sent to a private firm in Chennai for electroplating and restoration in the year 2019. The investigating agencies suspect that gold was extracted from the gold layer during this time. Now, the SIT report is awaited, which will reveal the entire matter.
High Court had to intervene amidst huge uproar
There was a lot of uproar in the state after the disappearance of gold from Sabarimala temple was revealed. Seeing the seriousness of the case, the Kerala High Court had last year directed the state government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Now everyone’s eyes are on the final report of the SIT and the possible chargesheet. On the basis of this, a case will be initiated against the accused.
What has SIT done in this case till now?
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has made 11 people accused in the gold-plating scam of Kerala’s Sabarimala temple. Till now, SIT has interrogated many technical experts, temple administration and concerned persons in this case. The main accused Unnikrishnan Poti has been interrogated in several phases. The SIT has also informed the court that the investigation is almost complete and the charge sheet will be filed soon.
Why is this matter so sensitive?
Let us tell you that Sabarimala temple is one of the big temples of the country. Crores of people have faith in it. This is the reason why crores of devotees come here every year for darshan. In such a situation, the matter of alleged disappearance of temple property, especially precious religious items like gold, is sensitive not only from legal but also religious and administrative point of view. At the same time, it is playing with the faith and trust of millions of devotees, who donate gold or other valuables in temples.
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