The Kerala High Court has permitted the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged Sabarimala gold theft to register a fresh criminal case after being informed that new evidence had emerged against former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P.S. Prashanth in connection with the 2025 replating of the temple’s Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols, as reported in The New Indian Express.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar directed the SIT to either register a separate case relating to the 2025 replating or incorporate its findings into the ongoing investigation concerning the alleged loss of gold during the 2019 replating process.
“It is for the Special Investigation Team to carry the investigation forward with all diligence and vigour and, if the materials so warrant, either register a fresh crime in respect of the transaction relating to the year 2025 or file a further report in the Dwarapalaka case,” the Bench observed.
The Court further instructed the SIT to pursue the investigation comprehensively until its logical conclusion.
“Every endeavour shall be made to ensure that no stone is left unturned in unearthing the truth and bringing all those found responsible to justice, in accordance with law,” the Bench added.
SIT Probe Into Alleged Gold Misappropriation
The Special Investigation Team had earlier been constituted pursuant to directions issued by the Kerala High Court to investigate two separate cases involving the alleged disappearance of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and the gold-plated doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), which were removed and transported to Chennai for replating in 2019.
During Monday’s hearing, Investigating Officer S. Sasidharan submitted a detailed status report informing the Court that the investigation had uncovered evidence suggesting that the alleged conspiracy extended beyond the originally accused individuals and involved additional Travancore Devaswom Board officials and members.
According to the SIT, the Dwarapalaka idols, originally covered with gold in 1998, were transported to Chennai in 2019 at the instance of the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty.
The investigation alleges that during the replating process, the original gold covering was removed. While only a small quantity of gold was allegedly required for fresh plating, the remaining gold was purportedly misappropriated.
The SIT further alleged that despite the poor quality of the replating work, a certificate claiming a 40-year warranty was issued in an attempt to prevent suspicion regarding the work carried out.
However, the gold plating reportedly deteriorated within a few months, exposing the copper surface beneath.
Alleged Conspiracy To Conceal Earlier Gold Loss
According to the investigation, after the deterioration of the plating became evident, the accused allegedly entered into another criminal conspiracy to transport the idols to Chennai once again in 2025 under the pretext of carrying out fresh gold plating.
The SIT alleges that this exercise was intended to conceal the alleged misappropriation of gold that had occurred during the 2019 replating.
The investigation further claims that after P.S. Prashanth assumed office as Travancore Devaswom Board president in November 2023, Unnikrishnan Potty allegedly gained his confidence and persuaded him to facilitate a proposal for the fresh replating of the idols.
According to the SIT, members of the Travancore Devaswom Board approved the decision to transport the idols once again despite allegedly being aware that the proposal violated provisions of the Devaswom Manual as well as earlier directions issued by the High Court.
The agency alleges that the decision was part of a larger effort to conceal the earlier misappropriation.
The SIT also claimed that communications exchanged between the accused persons and Board officials indicated that certain officers and Board members were aware that Unnikrishnan Potty continued to possess the balance quantity of gold removed from the idols during the 2019 replating.
Instead of taking corrective measures, the investigation alleges that they colluded to conceal the alleged theft and misappropriation.
SIT Names Several Individuals
The investigation team informed the High Court that it had collected what it described as “overwhelming material” establishing the alleged involvement of several individuals, including:
- Executive Officer Murari Babu
- Sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty
- Smart Creations proprietor Pankaj Bhandari
- Former Travancore Devaswom Board president P.S. Prashanth
- Board member Advocate A. Ajikumar
- Sabarimala Thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru
- Thiruvabharanam Commissioner Rejilal
According to the SIT, the acts allegedly committed by these individuals disclose offences including criminal breach of trust, forgery and criminal conspiracy, warranting prosecution under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Investigation Continues Against Others
The High Court noted that the role of several other individuals remains under investigation.
These include former Board member Sundareshan, TDB Secretary Bindhu, Thantri Mahesh Mohanararu, former Thiruvabharanam Commissioner Sunila, Executive Officer O.G. Biju, Administrative Officer Sreenivas, Assistant Executive Officer Hemanth, Ballari-based jeweller Pandurangaiah Naga Govardhan and former Executive Officer V.S. Rajendra Prasad.
The Bench directed that if sufficient evidence emerges against any of them, the SIT should take appropriate legal action, including filing supplementary reports wherever necessary.
Expert Reports Still Awaited
The SIT informed the Court that expert reports from the National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur, and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) are still awaited.
The investigation team sought additional time to complete the probe after receiving these scientific reports.
The Court was also informed that the investigation into the alleged loss of gold from the Sreekovil has been completed and that only the filing of the final report remains.
Prashanth Responds
Reacting to the High Court proceedings, former Travancore Devaswom Board president P.S. Prashanth described the development as “unexpected” and said he would decide his future legal course after consulting legal experts.
“There are no allegations relating to the 2025 replating except that it was carried out without obtaining the court’s permission. We followed all the prescribed procedures while sending the idols for replating,” he told reporters.
Prashanth also maintained that the Board headed by him had no prior knowledge of any alleged disappearance of gold during the earlier replating process.
He further stated that under his leadership, the Travancore Devaswom Board had ultimately decided not to send the Dwarapalaka idols to Chennai through Unnikrishnan Potty in 2025.
The High Court has posted the matter for further hearing on 20 July 2026, by which time the SIT is expected to update the Court on the progress of its investigation.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
