The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the Sabarimala gold theft case on Friday arrested Pankaj Bhandari, CEO of Smart Creations, the Chennai-based firm that carried out electroplating of artefacts from Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple. A Ballari-based jeweller, Govardhan, was also arrested.
As per a report by PTI, both were taken into custody and brought to the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram for interrogation.
During investigation, the SIT found that gold was allegedly removed from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idol plates and the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) doorframes when the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, took them to Smart Creations for electroplating in 2019.
According to the police, Potty admitted that over
400 grams of gold, obtained after removing the plates during electroplating, were handed over to Govardhan.
Officials added that Bhandari and Govardhan have been charged in the case related to the missing gold from the Dwarapalakas.
The SIT had previously questioned the duo after registering the case. However, additional evidence emerged during the investigation, leading to their arrests.
Over 400 grams of gold was seized from Govardhan’s jewellery shop following a search, police reported.
Notably, Bhandari and Govardhan are the eighth and ninth individuals to be arrested in the gold missing case.
The arrested individuals will be presented before the Vigilance Court in Kollam for remand proceedings. The SIT was formed following the Kerala High Court’s directive.
Earlier this month, the court granted the SIT an additional six months to complete the investigation.
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