Ex-TDB chief fears arrest, alleges political vendetta in Sabarimala gold case

Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P S Prasanth expressed fears of imminent arrest in connection with the ongoing probe into the alleged Sabarimala gold theft case. In a Facebook post, Prasanth claimed the move was "politically motivated" and asserted that the board he led had operated with integrity.

Prasanth stated that the board, which he believes helped bring the alleged 2019 gold theft case to light, has now also been implicated. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is investigating two cases concerning gold lost from Dwarapalaka idols and Sreekovil doorframes after they were taken for electroplating in 2019. The SIT is also probing a similar electroplating process from 2025, during Prasanth's tenure.

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We have received information that arrests can happen at any moment. It is needless to say that political pressure from the present government is behind this move

He contested allegations that sculptures were removed for repair without informing the Special Commissioner to shield those involved in the 2019 theft. Prasanth asserted that the Devaswom Board suffered no financial loss and that the gold content in the sculptures actually increased after restoration. He maintained that the process to rectify defects began before his board took office and that his board directed officials to initiate legal procedures based on staff complaints about injuries caused by the sculptures' cracks.

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The process to rectify defects in the temple doors, door frames and Dwarapalaka sculptures had begun months before his board assumed office, based on proposals initiated by the Sabarimala Executive Officer