Fresh twists in the Sabarimala gold vanishing act: ED registers an ECIR against unknown persons, while SIT custody tightens around the temple’s Tantri. The 320-sovereign heist from the garbha griha has morphed into a national security concern, probing illicit financial trails.
Discovery dawned during a standard audit, revealing tampered locks and missing treasures gifted by devotees. The SIT deployed cyber experts who cracked encrypted data from temple servers, pinpointing the Tantri’s involvement. Detained under CrPC sections, he’s undergoing marathon quizzing at a secret location.
The Tantri’s lineage commands respect, but evidence mounts: DNA matches on cloth fibers, and call logs to suspected smugglers. ED’s focus? Tracing laundered proceeds possibly funding anti-national activities. Coordinated searches hit 15 spots, unearthing fake invoices and bullion stashes.
The Travancore Devaswom Board suspended operations, installing interim security. Political slugfest intensifies—Congress alleges cover-up, while CPI(M) defends probe integrity. Devotee groups plan statewide stirs, demanding the Tantri’s ouster and ritual atonement.
This saga underscores systemic flaws in temple governance, echoing idol smuggling busts. With forensic labs working overtime, expect a cascade of arrests. Sabarimala, symbol of devotion, now battles to reclaim its gold and glory amid a probe poised to expose deep rot.