Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:03am on 05 Nov 2025,Wednesday Spiritual
Kerala's famed Sabarimala temple faces scandal after courts discovered gold-cladding theft from deity idols. The High Court established a Special Investigation Team after discovering door guard idols were stripped of gold plating. Temple records show 30.291kg gold, donated by Vijay Mallya in 1998-99, was used for cladding. Former assistant priest Unnikrishnan Potty controversially removed idols for repairs in July 2019; approximately 4.54kg gold disappeared afterward. Judges called it "heist and plundering," criticizing Travancore Devaswom Board for permitting irregularities, including allowing Potty to retain 474.9g "surplus gold" for a wedding. Three arrested, including Potty who claims entrapment. Opposition demands Temple Affairs Minister VN Vasavan's resignation; he refuses, promising full cooperation with court-monitored investigation. (PC: Tripoto)
