Sabarimala Temple Gold Theft Probe Reveals Criminal Conspiracy
The Kerala High Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) uncovered a criminal conspiracy involving former Travancore Devaswom Board officials in the misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Gold-clad artefacts were sent to Smart Creations in Chennai under false pretenses in 2019 and again in 2025, where gold was stripped using chemicals and replaced with thin plating. The SIT has questioned key accused, including former TDB president P.S. Prashanth, and submitted progress reports. The court permitted a fresh case and directed a detailed final report by July 20, 2026.
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Former TDB President P.S. Prasanth Denies Role in Sabarimala Gold Loss
Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P.S. Prasanth denied allegations of conspiring with prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty to replate temple artefacts in 2025, linked to the Sabarimala gold loss case. The SIT informed the Kerala High Court of evidence against the board under Prasanth, leading to a directive to investigate his role. Prasanth argued that the only lapse was officials failing to inform the court before sending gold-clad plates to Chennai for replating, which he claimed was not intentional. He stated the board assumed office in November 2023 and learned of the 2019 replating only after the investigation began in 2025. Prasanth maintained that the 2025 replating increased gold weight and was videographed, accusing investigators of a planned move to implicate him.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Sabarimala gold theft: SIT interim report cites criminal conspiracy by TDB officials, High Court allows fresh case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala temple during gold-plating works submitted an interim report to the Kerala High Court, alleging criminal conspiracy by former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P.S. Prashanth and multiple others. The court permitted the SIT to register a fresh case. The report details how Dwarapalaka idols, originally gold-clad in 1998, were transported to Chennai in 2019 under false pretenses (described as copper plates) to remove and misappropriate gold, replacing it with thin gold plating. A false 40-year warranty was issued; when the plating deteriorated in months, a second conspiracy in 2025 transported the idols again to conceal the theft. Accused include TDB officials, the executive officer, the sponsor, a Chennai firm proprietor, and the chief priest. The court directed expeditious filing of the final report and noted potential involvement of other officials. The next hearing is set for July 20, 2026.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: SIT Questions Unnikrishnan Potti Ahead of High Court Report Submission
In the ongoing Sabarimala gold theft case, the Kerala High Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) has questioned prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti to resolve potential loose ends regarding the previous Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) decision to re-send gold-plated copper panels to Smart Creations for electroplating in 2025. The questioning comes ahead of the SIT's submission of its latest status report to the High Court on June 29. Investigators are probing whether the previous TDB administration under the LDF government cited non-existent defects to dispatch the panels, possibly facilitating gold pilferage through a chemical process. The SIT is also investigating whether a 40-year warranty issued in Potti's name, which omitted the TDB from the agreement, indicated prior criminal intent. The National Metallurgical Laboratory has been enlisted to compare original gold from 1989 with panels returned after electroplating. The investigation continues to attract significant public and political attention in Kerala.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Sabarimala gold theft: Kerala HC asks SIT to submit detailed report by June 29
The Kerala High Court has directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple to submit a detailed report by June 29. The SIT informed the court that it has established a clear sequence of events leading to the removal of the Dwarapalaka idols for gold plating in 2025. The report must detail the involvement of each accused, their roles in transportation and gold-plating, and a timeline for the final report to the Inquiry Commissioner. The SIT head disclosed that evidence was gathered from seized documents, communications among accused, and Travancore Devaswom Board proceedings. The court initiated the case after the Special Commissioner reported that gold-clad copper coverings of the idols were removed without prior intimation. The SIT was constituted in October 2025 to investigate grave irregularities allegedly involving board officials.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: SIT Issues Notice to Former TDB President P.S. Prashanth
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case has issued notices to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P.S. Prashanth and former board member Ajikumar. They are directed to appear for questioning next week regarding the transfer of gold-clad copper plates of Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala temple. The probe focuses on whether the transfer to Smart Creations occurred without High Court permission during the previous administration. The SIT action follows a High Court order to investigate transactions from 2025 onward. Additionally, the SIT will visit Sabarimala temple on June 14, 2026, to collect more samples as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Sabarimala Gold Theft: SIT Submits Progress Report to Kerala High Court
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala temple submitted a progress report to the Kerala High Court on June 8, 2026. The report focuses on gold-plated copper plates sent to the National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) in Jamshedpur in March. According to the SIT, in 2019, Smart Creations, Chennai, stripped gold cladding from artefacts using a special 'stripping salt' procured from Mumbai. A sample of the salt was sent to NML for analysis, results pending. The court noted the NML findings would help identify how gold pilferage occurred. The SIT also sought permission to dismantle Prabhamandalam plates and upper-side door frame plates for further analysis, which the court granted. The investigation is in its final stages regarding the removal and disposal of Dwarapalakas in 2025. The case was posted for further hearing on June 18, 2026.
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