THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More details are emerging on the alleged large-scale gold loot linked to Sabarimala, further intensifying the political blame game between the ruling CPM and the Congress. According to the latest reports, the murtis of Vyali, Siva, and Dashavatara (the ten incarnations of Mahavishnu) were removed, and gold from seven layers was allegedly segregated using a chemical compound. (Vyali is a mythical guardian figure in southern Bharat temples, depicted as a composite of a lion, elephant and horse, symbolising strength and protection.)
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) informed the court that gold from seven layers had gone missing while considering the custody application of the accused Unnikrishnan Potti, Bellary-based jeweller Govardhan, and Smart Creations owner Pankaj Bhandari. This disclosure follows earlier revelations about the loss of the door frame, the Dwarapalaka murtis, and other sacred assets. The SIT reportedly obtained this crucial information from the statements of Pankaj Bhandari and Govardhan.
In 2019, the gold layers were taken to Chennai by Unnikrishnan Potti and his team under the pretext of facilitating gold plating. Investigators say this was the method used by the Potti team to organise the fraud. SIT reports submitted before the court state that officials entrusted with protecting Bhagwan’s assets allegedly colluded with money-making fraudsters.
Investigators have found that 109 grams of gold was taken by Pankaj Bhandari as “labour charges”, while the remaining gold was converted into ingots and handed over to Govardhan. Preliminary estimates suggest that around 989 grams of gold was pilfered in this manner. Greater clarity is expected once the test results from VSSC are received.
Last week, Organiser reported that the age of the gold layers is being tested at the laboratory of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), a premier facility under ISRO.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Katakampalli Surendran, a senior CPM leader and former Devaswom Minister, may be arrested soon. The SIT is closely examining his financial transactions and his association with Unnikrishnan Potti.
The SIT is also expected to record the statement of Adoor Prakash MP, convenor of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). This follows the circulation of a photograph showing Unnikrishnan Potti with Sonia Gandhi, Anto Antony MP and Adoor Prakash. The image appears to show Potti tying a bracelet on Sonia Gandhi’s wrist. Prakash has denied arranging the meeting. Congress leaders have claimed that any citizen can meet Sonia Gandhi, though critics argue that the reality is quite different.
Political observers note that senior Congress leaders in the past have faced difficulties securing appointments. Late K. Karunakaran, known as a Congress kingmaker and four-time Chief Minister, had quit the party after reportedly failing to meet Sonia Gandhi despite staying in Delhi for days. Assam’s current CM, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has described a similar experience, as has Jyotiraditya Scindia. Against this backdrop, questions are being raised over how Unnikrishnan Potti managed the meeting, allegedly without assistance from the UDF convenor or MPs.
With the controversy widening, CPM and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have begun blaming the Congress leadership for supporting Potti. The CPM has found itself on the defensive earlier due to the circulation of photographs showing Vijayan with Potti, and the narrative has now shifted into a direct political confrontation.
The BJP Kerala has stated that both the CPM and the Congress are part of the I.N.D.I Alliance, alleging that they are “birds of the same feather” in the Sabarimala gold loot case. The party has reiterated its demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, asserting that only a CBI enquiry can establish who is responsible and to what extent.
