Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition Leader V D Satheesan on Saturday demanded a CBI probe into the controversy surrounding the gold-plating of the Dwarapalaka idols at the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple.

He also questioned the whereabouts of the 30 kilograms of gold that were reportedly donated by the then UB Group chairman Vijay Mallya in 1998 for the gold cladding of the Dwarapalaka panels.

"The plating was said to have a 40-year warranty. However, in 2019, it was taken for replating, and there was a delay of 39 to 40 days between when it was taken from Sabarimala and when it reached Chennai," Satheesan said. He alleged that the gold was stolen during this time interval.

Satheesan also questioned the legitimacy of Unnikrishnan Potty, the sponsor of the work, and asked how he was authorised to undertake such a task. "The panels were taken to Chennai after 40 days. The gold was likely stolen during this period. There is also a possibility that a mould similar to the original was created during this time," Satheesan alleged.

He further accused the Travancore Devaswom Board of covering up the issue even after becoming aware of it. "The Devaswom Board knew about the matter but failed to take any action. It appears they may also have benefited from this deal," he claimed.

Satheesan also alleged that Travancore Devaswom Board President P S Prasanth was involved in the scam and demanded his immediate resignation. He added that Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan and former minister Kadakampally Surendran must also be held accountable for the issue.

Demanding a CBI probe into the incident, he said the issue involves two states—Kerala and Tamil Nadu—as the panels were transferred across state lines, and therefore requires a comprehensive investigation.