SIT Records Actor Jayaram's Statement in Sabarimala Gold Theft Probe
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the high-profile Sabarimala gold theft case has taken a significant step by recording a formal statement from actor Jayaram. The questioning occurred at his residence in Chennai, and authorities are likely to list him as a key witness in the ongoing investigation.
Details of the Investigation
The SIT is currently probing two separate cases related to the alleged theft of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at the revered Sabarimala temple. Jayaram was questioned after videos surfaced showing his participation in a puja organized in Chennai back in 2019 by Potti, a central figure in the case.
Court Displeasure and Bail Developments
In a parallel development, the Kerala High Court has expressed strong displeasure with the SIT for delays in the investigation. Due to the police's failure to file charge sheets within the mandated 90-day period, several main accused have been released on default bail. This legal provision entitles accused individuals to bail if charge sheets are not submitted within this timeframe.
Notably, the main suspect, Unnikrishnan Potty, and another individual named Murari Babu have benefited from this situation. Earlier, on January 23, the Kollam Vigilance Court granted statutory bail to former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) administrative officer Murari Babu in two cases linked to the alleged gold loss at the temple.
Murari Babu's Case and Release
Murari Babu, who is the second accused in the Dwarapalaka idol case and the sixth accused in the Sreekovil doorframe case, is expected to be released from the Special Sub Jail in Thiruvananthapuram. His bail was granted after 90 days elapsed since his arrest without the SIT filing charge sheets. He will be the first accused arrested in the Sabarimala gold loss cases to be released from jail.
Murari Babu was arrested in October last year on conspiracy charges, allegedly for forwarding a proposal to electroplate the Dwarapalaka idols and Sreekovil doorframes to the TDB, as suggested by prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti. At the time of his arrest, he was serving as Deputy Devaswom Commissioner in Haripad and was subsequently suspended from service.
Current Status of Other Accused
Meanwhile, Unnikrishnan Potti has secured statutory bail in the Dwarapalaka idol case but remains in custody for the Sreekovil doorframe case. The SIT has arraigned 16 accused in the Dwarapalaka idol case and 13 in the Sreekovil doorframe case. Additionally, the court has extended the remand of another accused, Thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, by 14 days, with his bail plea scheduled for January 28.
The investigation continues as the SIT works to unravel the complexities of this significant case, which has drawn attention from both legal and public spheres.
