Former Sabarimala Administrative Officer Murari Babu has been arrested in connection with the Sabarimala gold misappropriation case, after several hours of questioning. He was taken into custody from his residence in Kottayam district by the Special Investigation Team last night. 

Murari Babu was the official at the Sabarimala temple when the alleged scam took place in 2019. He is an accused in cases related to the theft and illegal transport of gold-plated panels and frames from the temple. He was suspended by the Travancore Devasom Board. 

 

 

In its probe, the SIT found that Babu was a key link in the conspiracy that spanned from 2019 to 2024. It was during his tenure as Administrative Officer in 2019 that the practice of replacing gold plating on the Dwarapalaka plates and wooden frames with copper plating allegedly began. He was also accused of forging documents. The SIT first registered two separate FIRs and named 10 people as accused, including the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, who has been arrested. Babu is also an accused in both the FIRs. 

 

 

SIT has begun questioning the security and temple staff who were on duty when the gold panels were removed from Sabarimala. The local court has given custody of the first accused Potti, to the SIT till 30th of this month.