Sabarimala gold theft case; Former devaswom board president P S Prasanth taken into custody

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Devaswom Board President P S Prasanth has been taken into custody in the Sabarimala gold theft case. He was taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) from his residence at Enikkara in Thiruvananthapuram. He will be taken to Kollam, where he is expected to be questioned and further legal procedures will be carried out.

The crime branch had taken a move to arrest Prasanth two days ago but later withdrew from it. He was taken into custody Thursday morning. Former Devaswom Board member Aji Kumar and Thiruvabharanam Commissioner Rejilal are also expected to be taken into custody today. The arrest of the three are likely to be registered today and then will produce them in the court later.

According to the SIT report, the decision to send the ornaments for gold plating during Prasanth's tenure last year was allegedly intended to cover up the 2019 Sabarimala gold theft. The investigation has found evidence of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy. Prasanth in a Facebook post today had alleged that he will be arrested any time and political pressure from the government is behind it. He had also stated that he would fully cooperate with the investigation.