Sabarimala Gold Heist Investigation Intensifies with Fresh Questioning
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the high-profile Sabarimala gold heist case conducted another round of questioning with former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P S Prasanth on Saturday. This marks yet another significant development in the ongoing investigation that has captured statewide attention.
Detailed Interrogation at Thiruvananthapuram Police Club
During the interrogation session held at the Thiruvananthapuram Police Club, investigators recorded Prasanth's detailed statement and specifically requested documents pertaining to financial transactions and travel details. The focus of questioning centered around the controversial gold-plating of the dwarapalaka sculptures at Sabarimala temple.
The investigation is examining whether Prasanth expedited the process of handing over these sacred sculptures to Unnikrishnan Potti for gold plating before concluding his tenure as board chief. This particular aspect has become crucial as the SIT attempts to establish the sequence of events leading to the alleged heist.
Prasanth's Previous Allegations and Defense
In earlier statements, Prasanth had vehemently claimed that there was a deliberate attempt to implicate the board he led and its officials in the Sabarimala gold heist case. He maintained that during his tenure, the gold sheets were never handed over to Potti but were instead transported to Chennai under official supervision.
The former TDB president's questioning follows similar interrogation of former devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran, indicating the investigation's widening scope. Initially scheduled earlier, Prasanth's questioning faced postponement due to technical reasons before finally proceeding on Saturday.
Extended Remand for Former TDB Chief
In a parallel development, the Kollam vigilance court has extended the remand of former TDB chief A Padmakumar by an additional 14 days. Padmakumar will be presented before the court again on February 10, as the investigation continues to unfold.
With the 90-day remand period approaching conclusion, defense lawyers are reportedly preparing to apply for natural bail, adding another layer of legal complexity to this multifaceted case.
New Cases Planned Against Key Figure
The SIT is actively planning to file fresh cases against Unnikrishnan Potti, the central figure in the gold-plating controversy. Investigators aim to prevent his potential release in the Sabarimala gold heist case by pursuing charges related to:
- Real estate fraud complaints
- Cheque fraud allegations
- Multiple complaints registered at various police stations across Thiruvananthapuram
This strategic move by law enforcement authorities seeks to create legal hurdles that would complicate Potti's bail prospects. Meanwhile, February 2 will mark exactly 90 days since Potti's arrest in the related kattilapali case, adding time pressure to the investigation.
The Sabarimala gold heist investigation continues to reveal new dimensions as authorities pursue multiple angles simultaneously, from questioning former officials to extending remands and planning additional legal actions against key suspects.
