Sat Oct 04 13:29:06 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:
**Summary:**
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala is demanding the resignation of Kerala’s Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan and a High Court-led investigation into alleged financial fraud and mismanagement at the Sabarimala temple since 2019. Chennithala raised concerns about discrepancies in records related to gold donations, unauthorized gold collections, missing gold, and the disappearance of pedestals from Dwarapalaka idols. He questioned the role and influence of Unnikrishnan Potti in these matters and demanded clarity on the whereabouts of missing gold plates related to Smart Creations’ gold-plating work. He asserts that court orders and Devaswom Manual guidelines have been violated.
**News Article:**
**Kerala Congress Leader Demands Investigation into Sabarimala Temple Fraud**
*Pathanamthitta, Kerala – October 4, 2025* – Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has called for a comprehensive investigation into alleged widespread fraud and mismanagement at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan.
Speaking to the media today in Pathanamthitta, Chennithala stated that Sabarimala has been the site of “one of the most brazen frauds” in the state’s history, citing violations of court orders and questionable practices dating back to 2019.
“Ministers, board presidents, members, and officials handling the Devaswom Board since then are guilty of wrongdoing and must face strong action,” Chennithala asserted. He called for FIRs to be registered for financial fraud, theft, and related crimes, followed by a thorough investigation under the Kerala High Court’s Devaswom Bench.
Key concerns raised by Chennithala include:
* **Discrepancies in Gold Donations:** Questioning the record-keeping related to the gold-plated Dwarapalaka sculptures donated by Vijay Mallya in 1999, asking why they were recorded as copper plates.
* **Unauthorized Gold Collections:** Alleging unauthorized collections of money by Unnikrishnan Potti under the pretext of gold plating.
* **Missing Gold and Discrepancies:** Highlighting discrepancies in the weight of gold during the removal and return of gold-plated sheets, suggesting missing gold.
* **Missing Pedestals:** Questioning the lack of complaints and audit records regarding the disappearance of the Dwarapalaka idols’ pedestals for nearly a decade.
* **Missing Gold Plates:** Demanding information on the whereabouts of gold plates used by Smart Creations for gold-plating work and if a case has been registered for their theft.
Chennithala further questioned the influence of Unnikrishnan Potti at Sabarimala, implying potential malfeasance. The Congress leader emphasized the need for a transparent and thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind these allegations and hold those responsible accountable. The Devaswom Board has yet to respond to the allegations.
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