Former Executive Officer Accuses Devaswom Board Governing Body in Sabarimala Gold Theft Case

Former Executive Officer D. Sudheesh Kumar has provided a statement to the special investigation team, alleging the involvement of the 2019 Devaswom Board governing body and its officials in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Kumar specifically stated that the gold plating from the dwarapalaka sculptures was handed over to Unnikrishnan Potti based on instructions from the governing body.

Sudheesh Kumar is currently in remand in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case, which was registered by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). During a detailed interrogation by the SIT, Kumar claimed that he merely followed directives from his superiors and wrote “copper plates” as instructed, consistently providing information to them at every stage. The SIT is expected to question him again after a thorough review of his statement. It has been reported that Sudheesh Kumar maintained a close relationship with Unnikrishnan Potti, who is the first accused in the case.

Including Sudheesh Kumar, a total of three individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft. Unnikrishnan Potti was the first to be taken into custody, followed by former Devaswom Board Administrative Officer Murari Babu. The list of other accused in the case includes former Devaswom Board Assistant Engineer Sunil Kumar, former Devaswom Board Secretary R. Jayashree, former Thiruvabharanam Commissioners K.S. Baiju and R.G. Radhakrishnan, former Executive Officer Rajendra Prasad, former Administrative Officer Rajendran Nair, and former Administrative Officer Sreekumar.