Sabarimala: The Special Investigation Team( SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft is all set to question a businessman named ‘D Mani’ currently residing in Chennai. This after a Dubai based businessman sharing the crucial information about D Mani who is believed to be the kingpin in the Sabarimala gold theft case.
The investigation into the Sabarimala gold heist is also being carried out based on information provided by Ramesh Chennithala to the Special Investigation Team. Chennithala has also provided details of Mani with the police. Cops are of the belief that that his interrogation will provide more details about the case.
As per top sources from the government, the SIT has already established connections with D Mani and is planning to question him from Chennai very soon.
As per the statement provided by the foreign businessman, D Mani was the buyer of 4 gold-plated idols between 2019-2020 and Unnikrishnan Potty was the middleman in the entire business dealing. It has also come to light that a senior Devaswom officer in Sabarimala had been instrumental in selling the gold-plated idol. However, no details of the officer was revealed by the officials.
Kerala Police SIT conducts searches in Bellari. Earlier, the jewellery owner Govardhan had been arrested by the Kerala Police. Raids are conducted at Roddamm Jewellery, Bellari.
The statement by the NRI businessman reveal that it was in October 2020 that a meeting by various stakeholders including Unnikrishnan Potty was conducted in Kerala. During the meeting the money equivalent to the gold-plated idol was also transferred. As per sources D Mani, a senior officer from the Devaswom board and Potty were present in the meeting.
SIT to question former TDB members on December 26
Meanwhile, former Devaswom officials will be questioned by the SIT in the next two days. The SIT has directed KP Shankar Das and N Vijayakumar to be present before the investigation team on December 26 as part of the investigation.
Padmakumar who is now under the custody of the SIT has informed that the board has taken a collective decision to come to a final analysis that it was pure copper that was removed and not gold. Hence the police interrogation on December 26th is very crucial for the probe.
