The gold theft controversy has exacerbated the pain felt by devotees, to the extent that many feel that Sabarimala will be a deciding factor in the assembly elections.
The core of the controversy involves the alleged theft of gold from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) and the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols of the Sabarimala temple.
The SIT alleged that after P S Prashanth assumed office as TDB president, prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty, gained his confidence and persuaded him to facilitate the proposal for fresh replating.
