Sabarimala gold scam: Chennithala alleges ₹500 cr deal, antique smuggling racket's involvement
He wrote a letter to SIT seeking probe into the involvement of antique smuggling racket in the case.
He wrote a letter to SIT seeking probe into the involvement of antique smuggling racket in the case.
He wrote a letter to SIT seeking probe into the involvement of antique smuggling racket in the case.
Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has written to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold scam, seeking an investigation into the alleged involvement of an antique smuggling racket in the alleged missing of gold from the doors and Dwarapalaka idols of the Ayyappa temple. In his letter, he alleged that those who conspired in the gold theft had struck a deal worth ₹500 crore. It is learnt that he sent the letter to the SIT on Saturday.
He also said he is ready to disclose more details about his allegations before the probe team, but added that he would not reveal them publicly.
It is learnt that the SIT will summon the Congress leader for interrogation regarding his claims.
Addressing the media here on Sunday, Chennithala said he would reveal the details of the person who shared information related to the Sabarimala gold scam with him if the SIT summons him.
According to reports, Chennithala claimed that some businessmen are also involved in the Sabarimala gold scam. The former minister said that links between certain VIPs in the Travancore Devaswom Board and the antique smuggling racket must be examined by the SIT.
On Thursday, the Kerala High Court dismissed the anticipatory bail pleas of former TDB secretary Jayashree and former administrative officer S Sreekumar and ordered them to surrender before the investigating officer.
It also directed the SIT to probe the wider conspiracy and the involvement of influential persons without fail.
The case
The High Court constituted the SIT on October 6, taking suo motu cognisance of the missing gold based on a report submitted by the Special Commissioner of the Devaswom Board. The report stated that the gold-clad copper coverings of the Dwarapalaka idols and the peedam on which the idols were fixed had been removed without prior intimation.
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), with sponsorship from devotee Unnikrishnan Potty, had sent the items to Smart Creations for electroplating. During hearings, the bench noted that the weight of the gold had reportedly reduced by around 4 kg after the idols were handed over to Potty in 2019.
Following the revelation, the Devaswom Vigilance conducted an inquiry and submitted a report to the court. On October 10, the High Court ordered the SIT, led by ADGP (Crime Branch) H Venkatesh, to register a case and begin the probe. After launching the investigation, the SIT arrested Unnikrishnan Potty, former TDB officials N Vasu, A Padmakumar, Murari Babu, and two others.