The sacred Sabarimala shrine plunges into crisis as SIT nabs the Tantri in the gold theft mega-scam, prompting ED to invoke stringent laws. Over 300 sovereigns evaporated from the deity’s repository, igniting a firestorm of faith and fury across Kerala and beyond.
The plot thickened when motion-sensor logs flagged unauthorized access. SIT sleuths, armed with luminol tests, detected gold residue trails leading to the Tantri’s quarters. Hauled in dramatically, the priest faces charges of conspiracy and breach of trust.
ED smells a money trail: Stolen assets allegedly melted and hawala-ed abroad, propping dubious ventures. Raids netted digital wallets and offshore links, widening the net to family members and cronies. Temple economy, reliant on offerings, now hemorrhages trust.
Leaders scramble: Governor intervenes for transparency, while courts mull bail pleas. Bhaktas mourn with vows of penance, fearing divine wrath. Security overhaul promised—biometrics, 24/7 guards—to shield against insider threats.
From antiquity’s lootings to modern heists, Sabarimala’s gold guards secrets of piety. This bust could dismantle a racket spanning states, restoring luster to Ayyappa’s abode. Justice beckons, but scars linger on this spiritual epicenter.