Sabarimala gold theft: Kattilappali case chargesheet unlikely to name more higher-ups; probe completed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has completed its investigation into the Kattilappali case linked to the alleged Sabarimala gold theft. The team is likely to file the chargesheet in the first week of September. The probe is not expected to lead to the involvement of any other higher-ups. A separate chargesheet will be filed later in the Dwarapalaka sculpture panel case.

The Kerala High Court is scheduled to consider the case on September 3, when the investigation team is expected to inform the court of the date for filing the chargesheet. The SIT has concluded that no other political figures were involved in the high-profile case. Allegations had earlier surfaced that several people from both the ruling and Opposition camps had links with accused Unnikrishnan Potty. The statements of several political leaders were also recorded during the investigation.

Meanwhile, multiple officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board are likely to appear as prosecution witnesses. The investigation found that the panels had not been replaced with new ones. A significant amount of gold was found to be missing from the panels taken away and later returned by Unnikrishnan Potty. Investigators found that the gold was removed from the panels using a chemical substance known as stripping salt.

Scientific examination also established that the panels had not been handed over to anyone else. Changes in their composition were detected after they were treated with mercury and other chemical solutions. Investigators personally visited the metallurgical laboratory in Jamshedpur and recorded statements from its staff.

The gold coating was removed from the panels using specialised chemicals known as stripping salts. The chemicals were purchased from Mumbai. A sample of the stripping salt was collected from Smart Creations in Chennai and sent to the National Metallurgical Laboratory in Jamshedpur for testing. The test results have since been received and are considered crucial in determining the role of Smart Creations in the case.

The SIT has recorded the statements of around 430 witnesses. Employees of the metallurgical laboratory are also expected to appear as witnesses in the case.

Dwarapalaka panel and conspiracy cases to be combined

A separate chargesheet in the Dwarapalaka sculpture panel case is expected to be filed two weeks later. The investigation team has decided to combine the Dwarapalaka sculpture panel case with the 2025 conspiracy case, in which former Travancore Devaswom Board president P.S. Prasanth is currently in remand. The investigation into the matter is still ongoing.