Kochi, Oct 21 (NationPress) The Kerala High Court has mandated that the inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and side frames of the Sabarimala temple be conducted under its direct and ongoing supervision to guarantee a fair, transparent, and swift process.

A division bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and K.V. Jayakumar engaged in an in-camera discussion with the officers leading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the court, instructing it to look into the broader conspiracy surrounding the temple's gold theft.

The SIT, which was constituted earlier this month, has been given a timeline of six weeks to conclude its investigation and is required to keep the court updated on its findings.

During the hearing, the bench remarked that judicial oversight was essential in a matter of such sensitivity, where emotions are heightened, to ensure the inquiry is conducted without bias.

The SIT has filed two separate FIRs and named 10 individuals as accused, with sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti listed as the primary accused. Their progress report reveals that the cases have been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the initial investigation report, evidence points to a well-planned conspiracy behind the theft of gold, which was based on calculations related to the gold offerings, including the Dwarapalaka sculptures donated in 1998 by Vijay Mallya.

The accused allegedly believed that substituting the gold with painted replicas would evade detection.

The court observed that initial records were inadequately prepared at the time the gold was handed over to craftsman Potti, and officials from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) had remained silent despite being aware of the irregularities.

The report also referenced an email from Potti requesting the Board's permission to use 409 grams of gold—taken from the gold-clad side frames—for a poor girl's wedding, which triggered the filing of another case.

The SIT has confirmed Potti's arrest and indicated that further arrests are anticipated.

While appreciating the investigation's progress, the bench directed the SIT to delve deeper into the larger criminal conspiracy behind the misappropriation.

Highlighting that the prolonged custody of gold with Potti, improper weighing, and misclassification of idols as copper plates suggested involvement at various levels, the court ordered the SIT to scrutinize the role of every TDB official from the highest echelons downwards and to ascertain whether the 2025 entrustment of the idols was an attempt to conceal the 2019 theft.

The bench also ordered the confiscation of the TDB’s Minutes Book and related documents, mandating that all materials be stored under the care of the Registrar General.

The next hearing is scheduled for November 5.