Tue Oct 14 15:46:14 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:

**Summary:**

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), responsible for the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, is seeking a High Court order to expand the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of gold-inlaid copper moulds used to cover the temple’s stone carvings. The TDB wants the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine temple transactions dating back to 1998, the year Vijay Mallya made a significant donation. A TDB employee has been suspended, and explanations are being sought from seven retired officials implicated in the scandal. The TDB president criticized the opposition for politicizing the issue. The investigation has reportedly expanded to Hyderabad, focusing on the possible diversion of the artifacts to a private collector before any restoration took place.

**News Article:**

**Sabarimala Temple Gold Scandal Widens: TDB Seeks Broader Inquiry, Opposition Accused of Politicizing Issue**

**Thiruvananthapuram, October 14, 2025** – The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) announced today that it will petition the High Court to expand the scope of the ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of gold-inlaid copper moulds from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. The board is seeking a deeper dive into temple transactions, extending the investigation back to 1998, the year industrialist Vijay Mallya donated the gold-plated coverings.

“We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring accountability,” stated TDB President P.S. Prasanth during a press conference. He announced the suspension of a TDB employee, Sunil Kumar, who has been named as an accused in the FIR filed in connection with the case. A temple administrator, Murari Babu, had been previously suspended.

The SIT investigation has reportedly implicated seven retired TDB officials, who have been given ten days to provide an explanation to the board. Mr. Prasanth emphasized the TDB’s power to withdraw or suspend pensions and other benefits should the court convict them.

The TDB president also took aim at the Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, accusing him of politicizing the controversy. He urged the opposition to await the SIT’s report to the High Court, expected in six weeks, before making further statements.

The investigation has now reportedly reached Hyderabad, with reports suggesting that the temple artefacts were stored at the residence of a wealthy collector for private worship before a planned restoration in Chennai. The TDB’s own Vigilance wing had reported that the artifacts remained in the custody of a prime suspect for 39 days, raising concerns about the potential replication and illicit sale of the original castings.

The unfolding scandal threatens to overshadow preparations for the upcoming Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season, which will draw lakhs of Ayyappa devotees and a visit from President Droupadi Murmu.

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