Former Kerala Minister Denies Close Association with Key Figure in Sabarimala Gold Case
In a significant development surrounding the ongoing Sabarimala gold theft investigation, former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran has publicly addressed newly surfaced photographs linking him to Unnikrishnan Potti, a central figure in the case. Surendran categorically stated that he considered Potti solely as a genuine devotee and had no other connections or associations with him beyond that spiritual context.
Minister's Evolving Statements on Meetings
While reacting to the emergence of photographs showing him presenting a memento to Potti's child, Surendran admitted that he might have met Potti several times during his ministerial tenure, as numerous individuals routinely sought meetings. This marks a shift from his earlier assertion that he had met Potti only once while serving as minister. The former minister clarified that his initial visit to Potti's residence occurred in 2017, during his journey to the Sabarimala temple.
"I met him because I believed he was a true devotee. Now a photograph of me handing over a memento to a child has come out. I cannot recollect when this happened. As a minister, I gave mementoes to several kids at several functions. It is not a big issue," Surendran emphasized, downplaying the significance of the photographic evidence.
Political Allegations and Investigative Developments
The newly released images, which include pictures with Potti's family members, have sparked allegations from opposition parties. Critics argue that these photographs suggest a closer, more frequent relationship between Surendran and Potti than previously acknowledged, potentially indicating regular visits to Potti's household.
Concurrently, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is poised to submit a comprehensive report before the Kerala High Court on Monday. This critical document will detail the estimated financial loss of gold from the temple and outline the necessity for further investigative measures. Despite receiving the final results from sample tests conducted by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), fundamental questions remain unresolved.
Scientific Uncertainties and Planned Retesting
The investigation faces a significant scientific hurdle: the test reports have failed to provide a definitive answer regarding whether the original gold-plated copper sheets were entirely removed and replaced with new materials. To address this confusion, the SIT plans to collect fresh samples of the gold sheets from Sabarimala for additional testing at a laboratory with superior analytical facilities.
Although the SIT initially hoped that the final scientific test report would deliver clarity, persistent doubts linger. Notably, while the UB Group utilized mercury for gold plating in 1998, some of the examined sheets show minimal traces of mercury, raising further questions. A sample from the old door of Sabarimala's strong room was also collected for comparative analysis, yet the report still lacks conclusive evidence about complete sheet replacement.
Therefore, the SIT intends to collect new samples next week when the temple reopens for its monthly pooja, aiming to finally resolve these technical ambiguities through more advanced testing protocols.
