Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: SIT Records Statement of Former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran

Thriuvananthapuram: In connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) recorded the statement of former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran. Speaking to the media, Surendran said that he had informed the investigation team of everything he knew in his capacity as the Devaswom Minister in 2019 and had answered all the questions asked to him. The statement of former Devaswom Board President P S Prasanth was also recorded.

So far, the SIT has arrested nine people in connection with the gold theft case. Recently, N Vijayakumar, former member of the Travancore Devaswom Board and the 12th accused in the case involving the theft of gold sheets from the sanctum, was remanded to custody.

According to the remand report, Vijayakumar allegedly forged documents to hand over the gold sheets to Unnikrishnan Potty, was part of the criminal conspiracy, and failed in the proper discharge of his official duties. The SIT had issued notices for questioning to Vijayakumar and another former board member, K P Shankaradas. However, Shankaradas is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital following a stroke. The Kollam Vigilance Court will hear Vijayakumar’s bail plea on the 31st.

Meanwhile, the custody plea of Pankaj Bhandari, CEO of Chennai-based Smart Creations, and Govardhan, the owner of a jewellery shop in Bellary who allegedly bought the gold, will be considered by the Kollam Vigilance Court on Tuesday. The SIT has stated that the gold sheets can be recovered only if the accused are interrogated in custody.