HC orders SIT probe into Sabarimala missing gold

‘Investigation is required to bring to book every person culpable’

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE Kochi

SUSPECTING fraud and conspiracy in the Sabarimala goldplating work, the Kerala High Court on Monday ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged scam involving priest-turned-businessman Unnikrishnan Potti.

According to the court, the special team should be supervised by the ADGP (Law and order) and carried out by an officer in the rank of SP, after registering a crime.

A division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar said a full-fledged and impartial investigation is required to identify and bring to book every person culpable in the matter. The responsibility does not rest solely with Unnikrishnan Potti, who sponsored the gold plating, and Smart Creations, Ambattur, Chennai, but also extends to certain officers of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).