Amit Shah seeks neutral probe in Sabarimala gold loss case

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday intensified his attack on the Kerala government over the alleged loss of gold at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, demanding that the probe be handed over to a neutral investigation agency. Addressing a BJP event in the state capital, Shah accused the ruling LDF of shielding the accused and questioned the credibility of the ongoing investigation under the state government.

The case pertains to the alleged misappropriation of gold belonging to the Sabarimala temple during renovation and replating works carried out in 2019. According to vigilance findings, gold-plated copper sheets covering the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and parts of the sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames were removed and sent outside the temple premises for replating. Subsequent inspections revealed discrepancies in the gold content, indicating that a substantial quantity of gold estimated at around 4 to 5 kilograms was missing.

Kerala Police have registered two FIRs in connection with the case. One relates to irregularities in the gold-clad panels of the Dwarapalaka idols, while the other pertains to the alleged misappropriation of gold from the side frames and lintels of the sreekovil . The FIRs invoke multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 403 (dishonest misappropriation), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant), 466 and 467 (forgery), and 120B read with 34 (criminal conspiracy and common intention), along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The alleged offences occurred at the Sabarimala temple complex at Sannidhanam in Pathanamthitta district. Investigators say the gold-plated components were taken out of the temple under the guise of repair work and allegedly tampered with during processing outside the premises.

The probe is currently being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted under the supervision of the Kerala High Court. The SIT has been granted additional time to complete the investigation and has carried out forensic examinations, recorded witness statements, analysed call data records, and tracked financial transactions. Officials have recovered around 475 grams of gold from a jewellery outlet in Karnataka, which is believed to be linked to the accused.

The Enforcement Directorate has also entered the case, registering a money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to examine the financial trail and possible laundering of proceeds from the alleged theft.

Several individuals have been arrested or questioned so far. Among the key accused is Unnikrishnan Potti, a priest-turned-businessman, who is alleged to have played a central role in arranging the removal and transfer of the gold plates. Sabarimala’s chief priest ( tanthri ), Kandararu Rajeevaru, has been arrested for allegedly granting tacit approval for replating works outside the temple. Others under scrutiny include business associates involved in gold plating and jewellery trade, former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A. Padmakumar, and multiple TDB officials and temple staff. More than ten suspects have been detained or questioned so far.

Responding to the controversy, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said the government has no objection to a court-supervised probe and that strict action will be taken if wrongdoing is established. The state government has maintained that the SIT investigation under High Court oversight ensures transparency and impartiality, and has not formally agreed to transfer the case to the CBI.

The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple, has stated that its internal vigilance wing first detected the discrepancies in gold content. The board lodged complaints and shared preliminary findings with investigators, and has said it is cooperating fully with the SIT.

While the BJP has demanded a CBI probe, no court order has yet been issued transferring the case to the central agency. The ED’s involvement currently brings a central agency into the investigation, though limited to the money laundering aspect. The National Investigation Agency has no role in the case so far.

At the BJP event, Shah alleged that the FIR had been drafted to protect certain accused and claimed that individuals linked to the LDF, and even the Congress, were under suspicion. He announced that the BJP would launch protests and door-to-door campaigns on the issue as part of its Mission 2026 programme, asserting that only his party could safeguard the faith of devotees in Kerala