Kerala Sabarimala Gold Theft Sparks Protests, SIT Arrests
Kerala Sabarimala Gold Theft Sparks Protests, SIT Arrests
Protests surge as Congress accuses the LDF of aiding the Sabarimala gold theft; SIT arrests a former TDB chief and weighs anti-corruption action as the probe widens.
In Pathanamthitta, Kerala, political tensions flare as Congress leaders accuse the LDF government of aiding the Sabarimala gold theft. A march to the Secretariat organized by KPCC on Wednesday drew crowds as party leaders demanded the resignation of Dewaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan and the swift arrest of all those involved.
K.C. Venugopal warned that protests would continue until 'real culprits' are caught, arguing that the administration's temple governance has been politicized by CPI(M) appointees on the Travancore Devaswom Board. He claimed the misappropriation involved gold-plated copper casings guarding stone carvings and that a High Court intervention helped bring the matter to light.
Separately, the SIT arrested N. Vasu, former commissioner of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), who served from 2019 to 2021, and was produced before a magistrate in Pathanamthitta. Officials say the probe is tracing links up the ladder of the TDB and considering legal safeguards as it moves forward.
SIT officials are weighing invoking the Prevention of Corruption Act, seeking prior sanction from the Kerala High Court to plug potential legal loopholes as the investigation nears higher-ups. While the opposition underscores alleged silences, party leaders insist the issue is about faith, governance, and accountability, not politics alone.
The case has intensified scrutiny of temple governance in Kerala and is likely to shape political narratives ahead of future elections as investigators promise more updates.
Cover image source: SIT arrests former TDB chief in Sabarimala theft case 🔗
