Kottayam (Kerala) | Kerala Devaswom and Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Saturday said the arrest of former TDB president P S Prasanth in the Sabarimala gold loss case indicated that the alleged theft had continued till 2025.
Prasanth and former TDB member A Ajikumar, who were appointed during the previous LDF government, were recently arrested by the Special Investigation Team probing the alleged loss of gold from artefacts at the Sabarimala temple.
Prasanth was arrested for allegedly sending the gold covering of a Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idol for electroplating again in September 2025.
The SIT launched its probe following allegations that gold went missing when the gold coverings of the Dwarapalaka idols and the doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) were removed for electroplating in 2019.
Speaking to reporters, Muraleedharan said the arrest indicated that the alleged theft had continued till 2025.
He said he had gone through media reports about the arrests of Prasanth and Ajikumar.
"The theft continued until 2025. They stole the maximum possible," he claimed.
Responding to questions on the arrests and the SIT probe, Muraleedharan denied allegations that the arrests were "politically motivated".
"What I am saying is that it did not happen during our tenure. The investigation began during the previous government's tenure. Media reports suggest that the recently suspended Additional DGP also had a role in including members in the SIT. In any case, we are watching it closely. When the final charge sheet is filed, we will convey our position to the court," he said.
Asked whether the probe would extend to more people, Muraleedharan said, "That has to be decided by the investigating SIT. Let them decide. In any case, when the matter reaches the court, the government will intervene." He reiterated that the government's stand was that "whoever commits a crime must be punished; there is no change in that." Replying to a question on the shortage of doctors in government hospitals in Kannur, Muraleedharan said it was a general complaint across Kerala and that the government was taking steps to address the issue.
He said the Health Department was conducting adalats in every district to resolve issues ranging from district medical colleges to primary health centres.
