Kerala opposition leader demands CBI probe into Sabarimala gold scandal
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Kochi: Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V.D. Satheesan, on Saturday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Sabarimala gold controversy, holding the Devaswom Board and the state government responsible for alleged irregularities.
Calling it a matter of “millions of devotees’ contributions”, Satheesan said the Minister in charge and the Devaswom Board president should resign, and criminal cases be filed against current and former officials, including former minister Kadakampally Surendran. “A CBI investigation to ascertain the exact quantity of gold lost has also to be done,” he said.
Satheesan questioned the fate of the 30 kg of gold donated by industrialist Vijay Mallya in 1998, demanding clarity on how much remains at the shrine. He pointed to inconsistencies in the handling of temple gold in 2019, noting that plates with a 40-year warranty were removed and took nearly 40 days to reach Chennai. Agencies later claimed that only copper plates were transported, raising suspicion that the gold had been melted locally.
He also criticized the Devaswom Board for attempting to conceal losses despite irregularities being flagged in 2019. Alleging misconduct, Satheesan questioned the role of Unnikrishnan Potti, accused of being an intermediary in the earlier controversy, and asked why he was brought back in 2025 to perform rituals on the gold despite earlier shortages. “The same person responsible for the missing gold has been involved again, which is a serious violation,” he said.
The opposition leader further accused temple officials of mismanaging assets, including moving sculptures and pedestals to private locations, and colluding with intermediaries for financial gain.
“This is not just about a shortage of gold; it reflects a systemic failure and deliberate cover-up. The court-supervised investigation must determine the facts, hold the guilty accountable, and restore public trust,” Satheesan stressed.
He lauded the Kerala High Court’s vigilance in monitoring the matter and called for central agencies to take over the probe under judicial supervision.
