Sabarimala gold theft: SIT submits final report before High Court

KOCHI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has submitted its detailed investigation report in the Sabarimala gold case before the High Court. SIT chief SP S. Sasidharan appeared in person before the court, where further proceedings were held in a closed-door hearing.

With this, the SIT has completed the investigation and related procedures connected to the 2019 gold theft case. Reports suggest that the findings include details of irregularities and lapses related to the removal of gold-plated panels in 2025. The investigation team had earlier concluded that the file created in 2024 to grant permission for removing the gold panels was part of a conspiracy.

In a recent development, the SIT conducted a fresh round of questioning with the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty. The interrogation, led by ADGP H. Venkatesh, lasted for eight hours at the Crime Branch headquarters last Friday. Officials questioned him to verify documents, examine evidence again, and get more clarity on various aspects of the case.

The SIT is also believed to have sought more details about transactions with Smart Creations. Investigators are looking into how the gold-plated idols brought in 2019 lost their shine within six years. The investigation team has found alleged lapses and irregularities in the removal of gold panels during the period when P. S. Prashanth was in charge. Officials are also investigating whether any other officers helped in the process.