Kerala HC Orders Probe Into Missing Gold at Sabarimala; Congress, BJP Slam Devaswom Board

The Kerala High Court has ordered a detailed probe into the reported reduction in the weight of the gold-plated sheets at Sabarimala. The vigilance wing has been instructed to submit its investigation report within three weeks, with the court directing the devaswom board to extend full cooperation.In 2019, the sheets were sent to Chennai for gold plating with a recorded weight of 42 kg. The court noted that upon their return, they weighed 4.52 kgs less. The chief security officer of the devaswom presented details of Sabarimala’s properties before the court. After reviewing the documents, the court expressed doubts and further questioned why the weight had not been verified when they were returned to Sabarimala. Meanwhile Congress has hit out

at the Devaswom board raising questions that why was the idol sent to Chennai without permission. Congress has also asked the Devaswom board to answer where is the missing gold.On the other hand, BJP has taken a dig at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying- The Devaswom board members are appointed by the govt, so it is the chief Minister who has to answer to these allegations.Anoop Antony, BJP state secretary said CPM is a party who is always against devotees and temples and this is just an attempt to destroy Sabarimala. Asserting that BJP won't let Sabarimala get destroyed, he said BJP is always with the devotees.This controversy comes just two days ahead of the Global Ayyapa Sangamam which is held on 20th September as part of Travancore Devaswom board's platinum jubilee celebrations.