Sabarimala Gold Scam: Mallya documents Found in Recovered File, Raising Questions of Cover-Up
A recently discovered 420-page file has ignited a new wave of scrutiny in the Sabarimala gold theft case, revealing records linking UB Group Chairman Vijay mallya to the temple’s gold cladding project and suggesting a deliberate attempt by Devaswom officials to obstruct the examination. The recovered documents,found at the Devaswom Board headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram,provide concrete evidence contradicting claims that gold layers were,in fact,copper.
Did you know? – The recovered file directly contradicts previous claims that the temple cladding was copper, not gold. This discovery is a major advancement in the investigation, possibly exposing a cover-up.
The file’s recovery on October 31, 2025, comes after repeated requests from both the Devaswom vigilance and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for access to the records. Allegations surfaced that officials had intentionally concealed the file to shield higher-ups from scrutiny.”This is a clear proof against those who wrote that gold layers are copper layers,” a source close to the investigation stated.
The documents detail the High Court’s permission for the gold cladding project involving Mallya,orders from the Devaswom Board,and records of the import of 22-carat gold from switzerland. Detailed reports outlining the gold plating work, conducted under the supervision of K. Ravikumar, then Chief Engineer of the Sabarimala Development Project, and Assistant Engineer C.R. Rajasekaran Nair, are also included within the file. Following a thorough review, a copy was immediatly handed over to the SIT.
Pro tip: – The file’s contents include High Court permissions,Devaswom board orders,and gold import records. These details are crucial for understanding the scope of the project and identifying potential discrepancies in the gold cladding.
For years, Devaswom officials resisted providing the file, citing logistical challenges related to office relocations. However, the SIT issued a warning of potential legal action, prompting the Chief Engineer of Devaswom Maramat to authorize a search.
According to the file, a meaningful amount of gold was used in the cladding: 1564.190 grams on the door-palak sculptures, 2519.760 grams on the door-palli and kattila of the shrine, and 4302.660 grams on the eight pillars surrounding the temple and side panels.The exact quantity of gold used for the roof remains to be persistent. Previously, the Devaswom Board had only provided figures supplied by the UB group. Crucially, the “mahsar document” – signed by the Chief Engineer, Assistant Engineer, and others after verifying the gold coating – had been missing until now. Its rediscovery provides critical authentication of the project’s details.
Reader question: – What specific actions do you think the SIT should take next,given the new evidence? Share your thoughts on how to ensure clarity and accountability in this case.
In a related development, the remand of Unnikrishnan Potti, the first accused in the gold theft case, was extended by 14 days on November 1, 2025. The SIT presented evidence seized from Potti’s residence in Bengaluru, including a thondimuta, to the court.Murari Babu, also implicated in the case, was remanded to a special sub-jail in Thiruvananthapuram after the SIT op