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Key Points

The SIT has taken a major step by booking all 2019 Travancore Devaswom Board members in the Sabarimala gold theft case. This development comes after investigations revealed gold was illegally removed from temple idols. Former board president A. Padmakumar has expressed willingness to cooperate with the probe. The case is expected to bring clarity to one of Kerala's most controversial temple scandals.

Key Points: SIT Books 2019 TDB Members in Sabarimala Gold Theft Case

  • All 2019 TDB members named as eighth accused in temple gold scandal
  • Priest-turned-sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti listed as first accused in the case
  • Gold allegedly removed from Dwarapalaka idols under electroplating pretext
  • Case filed under IPC sections including criminal breach of trust and forgery
2 min read

Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT books 2019 Travancore Devaswom Board members

Former Travancore Devaswom Board members face charges in Sabarimala temple gold scandal. SIT investigation reveals gold removed from idols under electroplating pretext.

"Let the court decide whether the board under me committed any irregularities or not - A. Padmakumar"

Chennai, Oct 12

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the missing gold from the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple has named the former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) led by CPI(M) leader A. Padmakumar as an accused in the case.

All members who served on the board in 2019 have been arraigned as the eighth accused, marking a major turn in the temple gold-plate scandal that has rocked Kerala’s temple administration.

The then Devaswom Commissioner N. Vasu, Thiruvabharanam Commissioner, Executive Officer, Administrative Officer, and Assistant Engineer have also been charged.

The SIT, functioning under Crime Branch ADGP H. Venkatesh, registered the case on the directions of the Kerala High Court after irregularities were flagged by the Devaswom Vigilance SP and the Sabarimala High Commissioner.

The investigation revolves around allegations that gold was illicitly removed from the Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala under the pretext of electroplating.

Unnikrishnan Potti -- a priest-turned-sponsor who had funded the gold-coating work -- has been named the first accused, while his associate Kalpesh is listed as the second accused. They allegedly extracted gold from the coverings of the idols, causing financial loss to the board.

According to SIT sources, Unnikrishnan Potti first urged Devaswom officials in 2019 to begin gold-coating the Dwarapalaka idols. In October 2024, he emailed the authorities again, claiming the idols had “discoloured due to extreme climate change” and asked for the work to be redone.

On September 8, 2025, officials went ahead with the re-coating, despite existing High Court orders and Devaswom manual procedures prohibiting such deviations.

The accused have been booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 and 409 (criminal breach of trust), 466 and 467 (forgery of valuable documents), and 34 (common intention).

Reacting to the development, former board president A. Padmakumar said he was ready to cooperate fully with investigators. “Let the court decide whether the board under me committed any irregularities or not. I have done nothing illegal, and our board never violated any rules or customs at Sabarimala,” he told reporters, adding that he welcomed the probe and wanted the truth to come out.

The case, now under SIT supervision, is expected to bring clarity to one of Kerala’s most controversial temple-related scandals in recent years.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally some action! The Devaswom Board has been mismanaged for years. Hope this investigation brings transparency and reforms in temple administration across Kerala.
M
Michael C
As someone who visited Sabarimala last year, this news is deeply disturbing. Temple funds and assets should be managed with utmost integrity. The "climate change" excuse sounds ridiculous!
A
Anjali F
While I support the investigation, let's not jump to conclusions. The former board president says he's ready to cooperate. Due process should be followed without media trial.
S
Suresh O
This is why we need more devotee representation in temple management. Politicians and bureaucrats treat temple assets like their personal property. Time for complete overhaul!
K
Kavya N
A priest-turned-sponsor involved in theft? What has our society come to? This case should serve as a warning to anyone thinking of misusing religious institutions. Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!

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