4 months ago
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The peculiar probe squad (SIT) probing the Sabarimala golden theft has expanded the scope of its probe to see the replacement of the temple’s flagstaff.
Acting connected the directives of the Kerala High Court, the SIT and the Devaswom Vigilance helping person initiated a elaborate probe into the matter.
The flagstaff astatine the Sabarimala temple was replaced successful 2017, during the tenure of Prayar Gopalakrishnan arsenic Travancore Devaswom Board president. The determination had past been taken arsenic the aged flagstaff had deteriorated importantly owed to deterioration and tear.
The SIT received accusation regarding the replacement of the flagstaff aft signaling statements from respective radical linked to elder Tantri (chief priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru, who has been arrested and charged with transgression complicity and conspiracy successful the “dishonest misappropriation” of the temple’s gold-plated spiritual artefacts successful 2019.
Following the flagpost replacement, the ‘vaji vahanam’ (horse effigy) that was portion of the flagstaff was handed implicit to the main priest. However, the Devaswom Vigilance probe could not ascertain the whereabouts of the accompanying Ashtadikpalaka idols.
The SIT had raided the main priest’s residence successful Chengannur and recovered the ‘vaji vahanam’, which has since been taken into custody arsenic portion of the investigation. The SIT subsequently submitted the seizure mahazar of the seized nonfiction astatine the Kollam Vigilance Court.
Meanwhile, erstwhile Devaswom Board subordinate Ajay Tharayil told mediapersons that the ‘vaji vahanam’ belonged to the main clergyman and was handed implicit successful accordance with established customs and traditions.
He added that documents disposable with the Devaswom Board indicated that the effigy was the rightful spot of the main priest.
He besides said that each different components of the aged flagstaff, including the gold-plated decorative umbrellas and the Ashtadikpalakas, were shifted to the beardown room. A mahazar was prepared successful this respect and a study was subsequently submitted to the High Court.
However, helium said helium was not alert whether each these items were presently contiguous successful the beardown room. Mr. Tharayil asserted helium was acceptable to look immoderate probe successful this regard.
