SIT probe into ‘misappropriation’ of gold-plated Sabarimala artefacts extends to Hyderabad

The special investigation team (SIT) of the Kerala Police, probing the allegations of misappropriation and possible copying of gold-plated religious artefacts from the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in 2019, has reportedly expanded its investigation to Hyderabad in Telangana.

Officials keeping a close eye on the investigation say the SIT has preliminary evidence that the gold-inlaid copper coverings covering the stone carvings and sculptures of the iconic temple were probably kept at the home of a wealthy Ayyappa devotee in Hyderabad.

The SIT reportedly suspects that the gilded artefacts earmarked for restoration to their original luster have traveled a long way towards the gold-plating industrial unit in Chennai.

TDB had in 2019 contracted a “questionable” private individual, Unnikrishnan Potty, currently the focus of the SIT probe and a former temple assistant, to repair the worn gold-plated copper linings.

According to TDB’s internal Vigilance report filed in the Supreme Court, Mr Potty’s assistant had detained the works, ostensibly to drop them off at the Chennai factory.

But the objects arrived at the facility after an “inexplicable hiatus” of 39 days, raising suspicions that they were possible copies of gold-plated copper castings and original works sold to wealthy collectors for private worship.

The SIT traced the route of the temple artefacts to the Chennai factory, officials said. They said investigators had come across social media evidence, including video footage and photographs of objects used for private worship at the homes of wealthy devotees in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.

Meanwhile, investigators are also examining Sabarimala temple records to determine the suspected “criminal intent” behind a number of TDB executives “misleadingly categorizing gold-plated inlays as being made of pure copper” while entrusting them to Mr Potty’s aide for restoration.

Moreover, the SIT is investigating Mr. Potty’s background, including his time as a priest at the Jalahalli Ayyappa Temple in Bengaluru, and examines the reasons why he gained immense traction within the Sabarimala Temple orthodoxy and the TDB.

TDB meeting

Meanwhile, a high-level meeting is being held at TDB’s headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. TDB chairman PS Prasanth said the bench will request the Supreme Court to direct the SIT to probe the temple affairs since 1998, when a former industrialist donated a significant amount of gold and copper to cover the Ayyappa temple with gilded plates, including its roof.

He said that TDB is also considering filing a case against the nine officials accused by the SIT in the case. “Seven of the names mentioned in the FIR are retired. The case to be filed against them will depend on whether the court finds them guilty or not. TDB suspended one of the officers on duty. The case against the other is ongoing,” he said.

Mr. Prasanth also said that the TDB will petition the Supreme Court for an inquiry into the transactions at the Sabarimala temple since 1999, which includes transactions during the tenure of TDB chairmen and Devaswom Commission members appointed by the United Democratic Front (UDF).