Pathanamthitta: The Vigilance wing of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has recovered another pedestal (peedam) of the Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala temple from the house of the sponsor's relative in Thiruvananthapuram. 

A team led by TDB Vigilance and Security Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar V traced the pedestal to the house of a relative of sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty at Venjaramoodu on Saturday.

The existence of the additional gold-plated pedestal came to light in 2019, when Unnikrishnan claimed that an extra pedestal he had donated to the temple was later found missing. Following his revelation, the matter reached the Kerala High Court, which ordered an investigation into the incident.

As part of the probe, the Sabarimala Vigilance team inspected the TDB strong room in Aranmula but failed to find the pedestal. 

The issue resurfaced recently when the Kerala High Court bench ordered a probe, noticing a reduction in the weight of the gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalakas.

According to PTI, the peedam had actually been kept at the residence of one of Potty’s workers. "After media reports about the missing peedam, the worker informed Potty that it was in his custody. It was then shifted to the house of Potty’s relative in Venjaramoodu," sources told PTI. During a recent interrogation, the worker confessed to having the peedam in his possession, which eventually led to its recovery.

Confirming the development, Vigilance SP Sunil Kumar said that the recovered peedam had been shifted to Sabarimala. "A detailed report will be filed before the Kerala High Court on Monday when it considers the case," he added. 

TDB President P S Prasanth also confirmed the recovery. "It was after a detailed investigation by our Vigilance team that the peedam was traced. As the case is before the court, further details cannot be revealed at this time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prasanth also clarified that the gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalaka idols were sent to Chennai for repair strictly in accordance with the rules. "I have not indulged in malpractice or corruption worth even a single penny," he said. 

Referring to the recent controversy over the shifting of the plates for repairs, he clarified that all procedures were followed, and the only lapse was a delay in informing the special commissioner.

Prasanth also said that the plates were transported in a secure vehicle with video recording. "Now, after the High Court direction, they have been brought back. They will now be reinstalled with High Court permission and rituals performed by the tantri," he added. 

The High Court had earlier criticised the TDB for failing to report the reduction in the total weight of the gold-clad copper coverings before being handed over for electroplating in August 2019. After the process, the weight dropped to 38.258 kg from 42.8 kg.