Following the submission of the latest SIT report, more arrests are expected in the coming days.
Published Nov 05, 2025 | 6:28 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 05, 2025 | 9:24 PM
Gold-plated sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala.
Synopsis: The Kerala High Court directed the SIT to examine whether the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1980 are attracted in the present circumstances in connection with the role of Travancore Devaswom Board officials in the case.
The SIT investigating the Sabarimala gold theft case is set to expand its probe after the Kerala High Court on Wednesday, 5 November, asked to identify and trace those responsible for the irregularities, including the replacement of gold-plated door handles allegedly removed from the door frame during the tenure of former officials.
Following the submission of the latest SIT report, more arrests are expected in the coming days.
According to Livelaw, the High Court also directed the SIT to conduct a scientific probe into the alleged misappropriation of gold.
It has also directed the SIT to examine whether the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1980 are attracted in the present circumstances in connection with the role of Travancore Devaswom Board officials in the case.
At the same time, the state government faces mounting criticism over its reported decision to extend the tenure of the current Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), whose term ends on 10 November.
Sources indicate that an ordinance is likely to be issued soon, citing the need to avoid administrative disruption ahead of the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season starting on 16 November.
However, the opposition has accused the government of attempting to protect the accused in the gold theft case.
“Extending the Devaswom Board’s term is part of a cover-up. The government is buying time to destroy evidence,” alleged KPCC president Sunny Joseph MLA in Kollam, demanding the dissolution of the Board and arrest of the culprits.
Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, in a press statement, said the High Court’s findings vindicated the opposition’s stand that the Board acted with “unnecessary haste” in taking the Dwarapalaka sculptures for repair.
He demanded the immediate arrest of former Devaswom Commissioner N. Vasu, alleging his involvement in altering records to show gold-plated beams as copper.
“If Vasu is arrested, ministers and CPI(M) leaders will be exposed,” Satheesan claimed, warning that the opposition would not allow any extension of the Board’s tenure.
Earlier, the SIT is learnt to have arraigned former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president and ex-Devaswom Commissioner N Vasu as the third accused in the case.
The custody report of prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty reveals that the SIT clarified Vasu’s role during his tenure as Devaswom Commissioner in 2019 — specifically, his recommendation to record copper instead of gold in the Mahasar (the temple’s official record).
The latest development comes amid intensified investigations into the alleged misappropriation of gold used for plating the kattilappadi (door frames) and Dwarapalaka idols of the Sabarimala temple.
On Monday, 3 November, the SIT formally recorded Potti’s arrest in a second case related to the theft of gold from the temple’s door frames.
He had earlier been arrested in connection with the theft from the Dwarapalaka idols.
Potti was produced before the Ranni Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, which granted the SIT seven days’ custody, though the team had sought 13 days.
Investigators revealed that Potti had sent an email to Vasu on 9 December 2019, claiming he had leftover gold after completing the temple works and seeking permission to use it for the marriage of girls in need.
Vasu has admitted receiving the email but maintained that he forwarded it to the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner and the Sabarimala Executive Officer for further action, without following up on the matter.
The SIT, however, suspects that the correspondence was part of an attempt to fabricate a cover-up story.
Meanwhile, the SIT interrogated Vasu on Sunday, 2 November, a day before formally recording Potti’s second arrest.
The questioning followed the recent arrest of Sudheesh Kumar, former Executive Officer of Sabarimala, who is also an accused in the case.
Based on Vasu’s latest statements, the SIT is expected to question Sudheesh again to clarify certain aspects of the alleged cover-up and chain of responsibility.
The SIT has also recorded statements from Kalpesh, Vasudevan, Govardhan, and Smart Creations CEO Pankaj Bhandari, all of whom are linked to the temple’s gold works.
Sources said they are likely to be summoned again for further questioning.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
