The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the high-profile Sabarimala gold theft case arrested former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Thiruvabharanam Commissioner K. S. Baiju on Thursday, marking a significant breakthrough in the scandal involving the misappropriation of precious artefacts from the revered hill shrine. Baiju, named as the seventh accused, was taken into custody after intense questioning at the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram, with investigators accusing him of deliberate lapses that facilitated the loot orchestrated by the main suspect, Unnikrishnan Potti.
As custodian of Sabarimala's holy ornaments, Baiju was responsible for maintaining detailed mahzars—official records—of the temple's valuables, including weighing and documenting their condition during the annual Thiruvabharanam procession. The SIT alleges he consciously absented himself from a crucial 2019 handover event where gold sheets were transferred to Potti and falsely recorded gold-plated items as copper in official logs, enabling the systematic theft from the dwarapalaka idols and sanctum doors.
Baiju's arrest follows the earlier detention of three individuals, including Potti and two former TDB officials, tightening the noose around higher-ups such as ex-TDB president N. Vasu. Sources indicate the probe is uncovering a deeper conspiracy involving insider collusion to syphon off gold worth crores over years, prompting renewed scrutiny of temple administration protocols.
Also Read: Intolerance Fueled by Caste, Religion Behind IPS Officer's Death: Rawat
In a related development, the SIT has moved the Ranni court seeking renewed custody of former Sabarimala officials Murari Babu and D. Sudheesh Kumar for further interrogation on discrepancies in the sanctum's door frames and structural components. The petition emphasises the need for technical evidence and documentary verification to expose the full extent of the tampering.
The case has sent shockwaves through Kerala, with devotees and political leaders demanding accountability for the desecration of one of Hinduism's holiest sites. As the investigation intensifies, authorities vow to leave no stone unturned in recovering the stolen gold and bringing all culprits to justice ahead of the upcoming pilgrimage season.
Also Read: Sabarimala Gold Theft: SIT Questions Potti’s Friend Who Took Artefacts to Bengaluru