Sabarimala Gold Theft Case: SIT Questions Former Thiruvabharanam Commissioner

Kollam: The Special Investigation Team probing the loss of gold from the Sabarimala temple questioned former Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornament) Commissioner and Congress leader K. S. Baiju on Saturday. The Kollam Vigilance Court granted the SIT’s request to keep Baiju in custody until evening.

Baiju, a senior functionary of the Congress-backed Travancore Devaswom Employees Front, is currently the state treasurer of the association of retired Devaswom Board employees aligned with the Congress. He retired from the Travancore Devaswom Board in 2019 after serving as the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner. It was during his tenure in July 2019 that the gold-plated coverings of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols were removed and taken for electroplating.

He is the seventh accused in the Dwarapalaka gold theft case and the fourth accused in the Kattilappadi (golden steps) theft case. Investigators found that a fake mahazar — the official record of handover — was created under his supervision when the golden steps were transferred.

The SIT suspects that Baiju’s absence from the Sannidhanam (temple premises) on July 19 and 20, 2019 — when the Dwarapalaka panels were taken for electroplating and given to Potty — was intentional and part of a larger conspiracy. A previous Devaswom Vigilance inquiry had also questioned his absence and found that Baiju failed to properly document the weight and details of the panels, a lapse that allegedly facilitated the loss of temple gold.

Baiju was arrested earlier this month by the SIT. Police officials said he was questioned again about the procedures followed in permitting Potty to take possession of the gold-plated covers.

Meanwhile, the Vigilance Court rejected Baiju’s bail application in the second case related to the missing gold from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames. The SIT strongly opposed bail, stating that the investigation is active and that releasing Baiju could obstruct further inquiry.

So far, the SIT has arrested six persons in connection with the two cases.