Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram) [India], October 24 : Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President PS Prashanth on Friday said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is effectively probing the 2019 Sabarimala gold theft under High Court supervision, with two arrests made and recovery of the missing gold the top priority.
He asserted that the current Board followed all guidelines during the 2024 restoration work and rejected allegations of a cover-up as 'politically motivated'.
Speaking to reporters, Prashanth said, "The Special Investigation Team is conducting the probe effectively under the supervision of the High Court. Following the arrest of Unnikrishnan Potti, Murari Babu has now been arrested, and the investigation is progressing in the right direction. It's evident that the gold theft took place in 2019, and our primary goal is to recover the missing gold."
He further stated, "In 2024, the restoration of the Dwarapalaka panels was carried out strictly in accordance with proper guidelines. The current Devaswom Board has not committed any lapse. The only issue was that the Special Commissioner was not informed, a responsibility that rested with the officials, from whom an explanation has already been sought."
Addressing the High Court's observations, Prashanth said, "HC's observation that the 2024 lapse was meant to cover up the 2019 irregularities is understandable, but the Board has already taken appropriate follow-up actions. Allegations that the present Board is responsible are politically motivated."
"They're trying to portray me as a 'gold thief'. I have only three bank accounts you can check my balances. I don't own a single piece of land. My total assets are worth less than ₹2.5 lakh. The opposition leader claims I built a mansion and that Unnikrishnan Potti came for its housewarming. In reality, the house was built using the proceeds from my wife's property sale. I have fully briefed my party about everything," he further asserted.
Prashanth added, "Let the opposition leader disclose his own wealth, then people can decide who the real millionaire is. This is purely political. The present Devaswom Board has not taken any action that has benefited Unnikrishnan Potti. The SIT has not yet sought any documents from the Board, but if requested, we will provide all relevant records. They've asked for records dating back to 1998; we're in the process of collecting and will submit them within two days."
The decision was made following a board meeting held on Tuesday. Referring to the 2019 incident, Prasanth said that the Kerala government, along with the Devaswom Board, has a clear stance that lost property must be recovered and culprits must be punished. He further stated that "protest against the Devaswom Board and attacks on employees" was regrettable since the Board was moving while upholding all rituals and traditions.
On Thursday, Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Executive Officer Murari Babu was remanded for 14 days by the Ranni Court in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case. He will be shifted to the Thiruvananthapuram Special Sub Jail.
Murari Babu, currently under suspension, was taken into custody from his residence in Perunna late last night by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). He was produced before the court after questioning at the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram, where his arrest was formally recorded on Thursday morning.
Earlier, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case, Unnikrishnan Potti, was remanded to police custody till October 30.