HC to SIT: Probe criminal conspiracy in Sabarimala case

THE Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly investigate the aspect of criminal conspiracy in the Sabarimala gold scam, observing that the chain of events commencing in 2019 and the subsequent entrustment of the Dwarapalaka idols to Unnikrishnan Potti appeared to be part of a larger and well-orchestrated scheme.

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The court also referred to a letter dated August 21, 2025, from the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner, citing directions from the President of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to expedite the gold-plating work proposed by the sponsor. A Division Bench, comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar, held that the investigation should extend to uncovering the larger conspiracy, identifying TDB officials who may have colluded to conceal the misappropriation of gold from the gold-cladded plates, and determining whether the entrustment of the Dwarapalaka idols in 2025 formed part of a broader scheme to suppress the pilferage that occurred in 2019.