Thu Oct 23 04:53:34 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

Sabarimala Temple Gold ‘Misappropriation’: Official Detained in Ongoing Probe

Thiruvananthapuram, October 23, 2025 – A Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) official, Murari Babu, has been detained for questioning by a special investigation team (SIT) regarding the alleged misappropriation of gold-plated copper moulds from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. The detention occurred late Wednesday night at Mr. Babu’s residence in Kottayam.

The SIT, appointed by the Kerala High Court, is investigating the disappearance of the gilded overlays that covered stone carvings and sculptures at the renowned temple. Mr. Babu is accused of providing a false report in 2019, stating that the overlays contained no gold and were pure copper. This report allegedly facilitated their handover to Unnikrishnan Potti, the primary suspect in the case, for restoration.

The scandal emerged after Mr. Potti claimed that four gold-plated panels he donated to the temple in 2019 were missing. Subsequent investigations by the TDB Vigilance led to the recovery of the panels from Mr. Potti’s sister’s house, prompting the High Court to order a comprehensive SIT probe into all TDB transactions involving Mr. Potti.

The SIT is investigating suspicions that Mr. Potti may have replicated the moulds for profit, or smelted the originals for their gold content and sold to wealthy collectors. Video evidence also suggests he may have allowed wealthy devotees, including film stars, to privately worship the artifacts for substantial sums.

The SIT has now expanded its probe to include two former TDB presidents and Devaswom Commissioners, examining potential complicity or criminal oversight. Nine current and former TDB officials have been arraigned as accused in the case.

The case has become a politically charged issue in Kerala, with the Nair Service Society (NSS) expelling Mr. Babu from its primary membership. The SIT’s investigation is ongoing.

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