Sabarimala gold heist: Prasanth taken into custody

Mangalore Today News Network

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 23, 2026: Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P. S. Prasanth was taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Thursday in connection with the Sabarimala gold loss case, officials said.

The SIT is also questioning former TDB member Aji Kumar and Thiruvabharanam (sacred jewellery) Commissioner R. Rejilal as part of the investigation, sources added.

The probe relates to two cases involving the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) at the Sabarimala temple after they were sent for electroplating in 2019.

The SIT recently informed the Kerala High Court that it is also investigating a similar electroplating exercise carried out in 2025, during Prasanth’s tenure as TDB president. He headed the board from 2023 to 2025 and was previously associated with the Congress before joining the CPI(M).

According to sources, Prasanth was taken into custody from his residence in Thiruvananthapuram.

In a report submitted to the Kerala High Court, the SIT said the investigation into the alleged pilfering of gold during the September 2025 electroplating exercise has been merged with the Dwarapalaka idol case.

The investigation team told the court that scientific findings from the National Metallurgical Laboratory had provided fresh evidence and a better understanding of the alleged modus operandi adopted by the accused in connection with the 2025 transactions.

Minutes before being taken into custody, Prasanth posted on Facebook claiming he feared imminent arrest and alleged that the action against him was "politically motivated."