No proof to show that Sabarimala temple door frames were gold plated, says N. Vasu

Former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) N. Vasu has submitted in his bail plea before the Kerala High Court that there is no documentary proof to show that the door frames of the Sabarimala sanctum sanctorum were gold-plated.

Mr. Vasu had been arraigned as the third accused in the case pertaining to the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala temple, being probed by a special investigation team (SIT). His bail plea had been dismissed by the Court of Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Kollam, after which he approached the High Court.

A Bench of Justice A. Badharudeen adjourned the case for hearing to Tuesday, and directed the government to submit proof on the matter. As per the remand report, Mr. Vasu had described the temple’s door frame as covered with copper plates, instead of gold-plated copper plates, following which it was entrusted for ‘repairs’ to businessman Unnikrishnan Potti.

Rebutting the charges, Mr. Vasu had contended that he had not intentionally done anything, other than forwarding the ‘communication’ he received from his subordinate officers to the board. He added that he never recommended that a decision be taken in a particular manner.