As the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Kerala High Court delves into the Sabarimala gold theft case, it has broadened its investigation to include the controversial Global Ayyappa Meet held at Pampa last year. The SIT’s scrutiny has raised concerns within the Pinarayi Vijayan government.
The SIT’s report, connected to the misappropriation of gold at Sabarimala, highlights the Global Ayyappa Meet organized during P.S. Prasanth’s term as Travancore Devaswom Board president. Notably, the report points out the absence of documented approval in the Devaswom Board meeting minutes for hosting the event and raises questions about fund utilization during the meet.
An audit report revealing a financial loss of Rs 3.4 crore to the Devaswom Board from the Global Ayyappa Meet is set to be presented before the High Court. The court had mandated that no government or Devaswom Board funds be used for the event, emphasizing reliance on sponsorships for covering expenses. However, discrepancies in fund sourcing have surfaced, with Rs 3.4 crore reportedly withdrawn from the Board’s surplus funds.
The Devaswom Board has called for a meeting following the SIT’s observations, while the Vigilance Department plans to request the return of seized files related to the Sabarimala flagstaff reconstruction case. Key documents are currently in SIT custody, necessitating further scrutiny before additional statements can be recorded. Previous investigations had revealed procedural lapses in accepting gold for the flagstaff reconstruction, adding complexity to the financial management inquiries linked to Sabarimala.
