Kerala Minister K Muraleedharan declared that anyone found responsible for the Sabarimala gold misappropriation scandal will face punishment. The statement comes after an SIT report revealed 'overwhelming evidence' against seven people.
Minister Vows Uncompromising Punishment
Raising the stakes in the intensifying legal battle surrounding Lord Ayyappa's temple, Kerala Devaswom and Health Minister K Muraleedharan declared that anyone found responsible for the high-profile Sabarimala gold misappropriation scandal will face uncompromising punishment. The Minister's statement comes in the wake of a crucial Special Investigation Team (SIT) report submitted to the Kerala High Court, which revealed "overwhelming evidence" against seven prominent individuals, including former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President P S Prasanth. Clarifying the state's executive boundary, Muraleedharan emphasised that the probe is being driven exclusively under judicial oversight.
Addressing local reporters on Monday, Minister Muraleedharan strongly rejected any claims of state interference, clarifying that the executive apparatus holds zero leverage over the current investigative team. "No one will be spared. Whoever stole the gold will certainly be punished," Minister Muraleedharan asserted. "This investigation was conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was appointed by the High Court. We have no role in it. However, if we receive the report, the Cabinet will take the final decision."
He further asserted that the SIT functions independently and is accountable only to the High Court. "The SIT is an independent body; it is controlled solely by the High Court. The government has no control over this SIT. So, what kind of irregularities is he talking about? If he has stolen the gold, he will face punishment," Muraleedharan added.
Controversy's Origins
The Sabarimala gold theft controversy traces its origins to a 1998 donation by industrialist Vijay Mallya, who gifted 30.3 kilograms of gold and 1,900 kilograms of copper for the temple's gold plating and cladding work. Subsequent inspections and court-monitored inquiries revealed discrepancies between the donated quantity and the amount actually used. These discrepancies allegedly occurred in 2019 under the pretext of refinishing and re-gold-plating the temple structures.
Accused Denies Allegations, Alleges Political Interference
Meanwhile, Prasanth on Monday denied the allegations against him in the alleged Sabarimala idol gold misuse case, claiming he had been falsely implicated due to political interference while asserting that he had fully cooperated with the SIT. Prasanth claimed that he had met Unnikrishnan Potti only once, at the Executive Officer's office in 2023, and said he had never met Govardhan. He added that he knew Pankaj Bhandari only through media reports. Alleging that the 2019 theft case was being revived to divert attention and said he had no objection to a fair investigation. He further claimed that the files relating to the Dwarapalaka idols reached him only on October 9, 2024, and alleged that Unnikrishnan Potti had made false statements regarding the pedestal's location to undermine the Ayyappa Sangamam.
"...I met Unnikrishnan Potti only once, at the Executive Officer's office in 2023. I have never met Govardhan, and I know Pankaj Bhandari only through media reports. I believe the 2019 theft case is now being revived to divert attention. In 2019, I was with the Congress, and I have no objection to a proper investigation. The files relating to the Dwarapalaka idols reached me only on October 9, 2024. Unnikrishnan Potti falsely claimed that the pedestal was in the Executive Officer's office when it was not. I believe he made false statements to undermine the Ayyappa Sangamam."
Prasanth also alleged political interference behind his being named as an accused, claiming that the move may have been made under pressure from the present Chief Minister. While stating that he had no complaint against the Special Investigation Team (SIT), he said he had appeared before it three times and fully cooperated with the investigation. He further claimed that the previous government had never exerted pressure on the SIT and questioned whether the Devaswom Minister had the legal authority to forward such a complaint. "I suspect there has been political interference in naming me as an accused, possibly under pressure from the present Chief Minister. I have no complaint against the SIT itself. I appeared before the SIT three times and fully cooperated. The previous government never pressured the SIT, and even K Muraleedharan's letter proves that. We also need to examine whether the Devaswom Minister had the legal authority to forward such a complaint."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianetnews Editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)