The Aryavarth Express
Chennai (Tamil Nadu): In a significant development in the Sabarimala gold theft case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday carried out a raid at the residence of D Mani, also known as Balamurugan, in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district. Mani is facing serious allegations in connection with the case.
Officials confirmed that the search operation at his house is part of the ongoing probe. Earlier, the SIT had questioned Mani’s associate, Sreekrishnan, as investigators continued to trace links in the alleged theft network.
Meanwhile, a businessman has made explosive claims, stating that Mani’s group had planned large-scale thefts targeting temples in Kerala. According to the disclosure, the gang allegedly aimed to carry out thefts worth nearly ₹1,000 crore. Apart from Sabarimala, the group was also said to have planned fraud at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, sources revealed.
The claims were made public by senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala. The businessman further alleged that Panchaloha idols taken from Sabarimala were sold to an international antique smuggling racket.
The Sabarimala gold controversy revolves around alleged irregularities in the gold plating of the temple. The issue traces back to a donation made in 1998 by industrialist Vijay Mallya, who donated 30.3 kilograms of gold and 1,900 kilograms of copper for the gold cladding of the sanctum sanctorum and wooden carvings of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.
Earlier this week, Kerala Director General of Police Ravada Chandrasekhar confirmed the arrest of Smart Creation CEO Pankaj Bhandari and Bellary-based jeweller Govardhan in connection with the case.
On November 26, the SIT also took into custody A. Padmakumar, former President of the Sabarimala Executive Committee and a CPI(M) Pathanamthitta district committee member. Padmakumar, who is also a former Konni MLA, was arrested after the Kollam Vigilance Court approved the SIT’s request. He was subsequently remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
Previously, on November 7, former Thiruvabharanam Temple Commissioner K.S. Baiju was arrested, while prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti was taken into custody on October 17. The SIT has submitted multiple reports to the Kerala High Court, highlighting serious irregularities in the records maintained by the Travancore Devaswom Board.
