Highlighting the gravity of the Sabarimala gold loot case, BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, stating that the revelations so far point to a serious and disturbing crime that goes far beyond an isolated act of theft. He said that the looting was not limited to 4.5 kg of gold and that investigations have revealed that, during the tenure of the LDF-controlled Travancore Devaswom Board, four Panchaloha murtis—made of a combination of five metals, including gold, silver, copper, zinc and iron—were stolen from Sabarimala and sold to international criminal and antique mafia networks.
Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram on December 23, Chandrasekhar further said most shockingly, parts of the sacred Pathinettampadi (18 steps), which were replaced during the Congress-led UDF regime in 2015, were tampered with and looted.
The BJP president reiterated that the arrests of Unnikrishnan Potty and Vasu were not sufficient. He alleged that a larger conspiracy had begun during the Congress-led UDF regime and was later executed under the CPM-led LDF government. “This is not mere loot; it is sacrilege. This is a betrayal of Bhagwan Ayyappa and millions of devotees like me across the world,” he said.
As an Ayyappa bhakt, the pain and hurt I felt earlier has now deepened even further 💔
What is coming out now is far more disturbing than what we first knew.
The looting of Sabarimala was not limited to 4.5 kg of gold. Investigations now show that under the LDF-appointed… pic.twitter.com/UL2wcn1N5e
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) December 24, 2025
Chandrasekhar asserted that the SIT cannot expose the truth and that only the Central Bureau of Investigation can do so. He alleged that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan attempted to cover up the criminal act by calling it a “slip-up”. He said the BJP would ensure justice for all devotees and concluded his statement with “Swamiye Saranamayyappa”, in keeping with Sabarimala tradition.
BJP Kerala demanded that the “big shots” who profited from the smuggling of Panchaloha murtis during 2019–2020 be identified. The party stated that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is answerable for this betrayal of Hindus. It said Sabarimala gold loot and murti smuggling constitute a grave issue, noting that four Panchaloha murtis were smuggled out in 2019–2020 alone. The temple administration, it alleged, has lost transparency and turned into a hub of security lapses under CPM and Congress rule.
The party president added that smuggling gangs with international links were behind the crimes, which is why a Kerala Police enquiry is insufficient. He said the entire criminal network that hurt the sentiments of Ayyappa devotees worldwide must be brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court, while hearing Chandrasekhar’s petition seeking a CBI probe, sought the agency’s stand on its readiness to investigate. The CBI is expected to disclose its position when the petition is taken up again.
Observers believe that once the CBI takes over the case, influential figures, including political heavyweights, may be booked. The agency has reportedly begun examining remand reports, statements and other documents. A CBI enquiry is being sought amid allegations that gold layers were smuggled abroad, melted, and sold in other states.
The High Court had earlier expressed suspicion that the original gold layers were removed and replaced with newly gold-plated copper layers. Accordingly, the age of the gold layers is being tested at the laboratory of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, a key centre of Indian Space Research Organisation.
Recently, the High Court sharply criticised the SIT for failing to arrest certain individuals already named in the accused list, citing serious lapses and questioning the probe’s credibility. The court also flagged discrimination in the preparation of the accused list. Soon after, Smart Creations CEO Pankaj Bhandari and Bellari jewellery owner Govardhan were arrested. The court further observed that former members of the Devaswom Board were being kept outside the scope of the enquiry.
So far, the looted gold has not been traced. Although 470 grams of gold were seized from Govardhan’s jewellery shop, it is reportedly not linked to Sabarimala. If the missing gold is not recovered, the case could weaken.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala had alleged that the gold layers were smuggled abroad and that the fraud was worth Rs 500 crore. A Dubai-based businessman later gave statements before the SIT corroborating these claims. The SIT has reportedly received information suggesting that the gold layers were sea-freighted to Dubai, handed over to underworld figures, and later sent to the ruler of another Arab country.
Only the CBI, it is argued, can coordinate with Interpol and conduct investigations abroad, with support from Indian security agencies posted overseas. There are also reports that rare murtis and antiques from Bharat are housed in art galleries and private collections across the US, Europe, Australia and Gulf countries, where such artefacts fetch exorbitant prices far beyond their intrinsic value.
