Tue Dec 30 13:05:04 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the High Court is investigating the misappropriation of gold-plated artifacts from the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. They questioned a Dindigul-based businessperson, D. Mani, who is suspected of involvement in trading religious artifacts. The investigation was spurred by information from a Non-Resident Keralite businessperson, prompted by Ramesh Chennithala, linking Mani to the illegal trade. The SIT is exploring potential interstate rackets involved in selling ordinary items as rare treasures to wealthy collectors, similar to the “rice-puller” scam. The SIT is considering seeking permission from the High Court to expand the investigation team and extend the deadline for filing the final report.
News Article:
Sabarimala Gold Theft: SIT Questions Dindigul Businessman in Artefact Misappropriation Case
Thiruvananthapuram, December 30, 2025 – A Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by the High Court, today questioned a Dindigul-based businessperson, known as D. Mani, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the criminal misappropriation of gold-plated artefacts from the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple.
Officials confirmed that the SIT interviewed Mani last week after a statement from a Non-Resident Keralite (NRK) businessperson linked him to the illegal trade of religious artifacts, including items of alleged antique value. Mani, along with an acquaintance identified as Balamurugan, appeared for questioning at the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram.
While Mani has not yet been named as an accused in the case and has reportedly protested his innocence, the NRK businessman’s deposition, initiated by former Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, has opened a new line of inquiry. Investigators are considering approaching the Kerala High Court to request an expansion of the SIT and an extension to the deadline for submitting the final report.
The investigation has broadened to explore potential links to interstate rackets involved in defrauding wealthy collectors by selling ordinary items as rare treasures with supposed magical properties. The SIT is aware of previous cases, such as the “rice-puller” scam, where deception and pseudoscience were used to mislead buyers.
“While we are aware of such scams, the SIT is reluctant to pursue such lines of investigation without hard evidence linking such rackets to the Sabarimala gold theft.”, an investigator said.
The SIT is currently verifying Mani’s background, including any connections to Unnikrishnan Potti, the primary suspect in the original theft case. The investigation is ongoing.
First Piper 