Sabarimala Temple Gold Scandal Deepens: Special Team Unearths More Missing Riches

Just when you thought the Sabarimala temple gold theft saga couldn't get any more perplexing, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has dropped a fresh bombshell. It turns out, even more gold has gone missing from the sacred premises than we previously understood. We're talking about an additional 1.5 kilograms of the precious metal, valued at a substantial Rs 1.5 crore, adding a whole new layer to an already complex and disheartening case.

This latest revelation isn't just a minor update; it's significant. It means the total amount of gold believed to have been pilfered from one of India's most revered pilgrimage sites now stands at a staggering 15.5 kilograms. For context, the initial investigations had pointed to a missing 14 kilograms, which was already a massive amount. To think there was even more unaccounted for is, frankly, quite shocking.

The whole unfortunate affair began way back in 2011. That's when M. Rajagopalan Nair, who was then the president of the Travancore Devaswom Board – the body overseeing the temple – first lodged a complaint. His initial allegations were quite dramatic, suggesting that as much as 100 kilograms of gold had vanished from the temple's coffers. An audit, conducted in the wake of his complaint, narrowed that figure down to 14 kilograms, which, as mentioned, felt like a monumental loss in itself.

Fast forward to 2021, and the Kerala High Court, recognizing the gravity and sensitivity of the case, ordered the formation of this very Special Investigation Team. Their mandate was clear: dig deep, leave no stone unturned, and get to the bottom of this. And it seems they've been doing just that. Their diligent work has not only confirmed the previously identified 14 kg discrepancy but has now unearthed this additional 1.5 kg, apparently from a strong room, which was earmarked for coating the temple's 'koothambalam' or theatre.

The SIT has just submitted an interim report to the High Court, laying out these fresh findings. The investigation, as you can imagine, is quite intricate, focusing on alleged misappropriation of gold that was specifically meant for the Sreekovil, the temple's sanctum sanctorum, particularly its roof. They've been busy, too, interrogating a number of key individuals including former Devaswom Board members, various officials, and even contractors involved in temple works. It's a wide net, indeed.

So, while these revelations bring us closer to understanding the full scale of the problem, the story is far from over. The investigation is still very much active and ongoing. We're all waiting, with bated breath, for their comprehensive and detailed report, hoping it sheds full light on who exactly is responsible for this truly regrettable episode in the history of Sabarimala.