The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case has informed the Kollam Vigilance Court that the scale of the theft may be far larger than initially believed. The SIT has filed a custody petition seeking further interrogation of the accused.
According to the investigators, in addition to the previously reported Dwarapalaka (gatekeeper) idols and door frames, seven copper plates coated with gold were also stolen from the temple using a similar method. This points to a more extensive and systematic theft of gold from the shrine.
The SIT has sought custody of the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti, along with the ninth accused Pankaj Bhandari and the tenth accused Govardhan, to carry out detailed questioning and recover further evidence.
The investigation team told the court that the gold was extracted using a chemical process at a Chennai-based unit, Smart Creations, which is allegedly linked to Pankaj Bhandari and Govardhan. The SIT said chemical mixtures were used to separate the gold from the copper components.
The latest revelations have heightened the seriousness of the case, with investigators indicating that further recoveries and disclosures are likely as the probe continues.
