Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT arrests former TDB president P.S. Prasanth
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested former Travancore Devaswom Board president P.S. Prasanth and board member A. Ajikumar in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case. The arrests follow evidence of a criminal conspiracy involving the unauthorized transport of temple sculptures.
Why it matters
The case involves high-profile corruption and the desecration of religious assets, drawing significant public and legal attention in Kerala.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the Sabarimala gold theft case on Thursday (July 23, 2026) recorded the arrest of former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president P.S. Prasanth and former board member A. Ajikumar. Both are currently being interrogated at the Kollam Police Club, following which they will be produced before the Vigilance Court.
The case pertains to the unauthorised transport of the Dwarapalaka sculptures to Chennai in 2025, in which Mr. Prasanth was named as an accused. Murari Babu is listed as the primary accused in the case. The other key accused named include Unnikrishnan Potti (second accused), Pankaj Bhandari (third accused), Mr. Ajikumar (fifth accused), and Kandararu Rajeevaru (sixth accused).
The Kerala High Court had earlier noted that there was “clear evidence” pointing to Mr. Prasanth’s involvement in the conspiracy.
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