SIT arrests Sabarimala administrative officer in gold missing case
Pathanamthitta (PTI): The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the missing gold from the Sabarimala temple arrested former administrative officer B Murari Babu, sources said on Thursday.
Babu, who was suspended by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) following the gold missing row, was taken into custody from his residence in Changanassery on Wednesday night, they said.
He was later shifted to the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram for interrogation, officials said.
Babu’s relatives reached the Crime Branch office on Thursday morning.
At around 10 am, SIT recorded Babu’s arrest and informed his relative about the procedure, sources said.
They were later allowed to meet the Babu.
SIT will produce Babu before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Pathanamthitta here in the evening, officials said.
SIT is likely to file a petition in court seeking custody of Babu for detailed interrogation.
He is an accused in two cases related to the disappearance of gold from the gold-clad plates of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the door frames of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple.
In 2019, when the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, proposed electroplating the Dwarapalaka idols to the TDB, Babu forwarded the proposal to the board, claiming that the gold-cladded plates were made of copper.
He reportedly forwarded a similar proposal from Potty again in 2025.
Babu was serving as Deputy Devaswom Commissioner in Haripad when he was suspended from service recently.
The TDB Vigilance, which conducted a preliminary inquiry, had submitted a report raising suspicion about the involvement of certain board officials in the removal of gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and the door frames of the Sreekovil.
The Vigilance also pointed out serious lapses by Babu and seven other TDB officials in handing over the gold-clad plates to Potty.
The SIT, which is probing the case at the direction of the Kerala High Court, has already arrested Potty.
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Man arrested for attempting to commit theft at bank, ATM in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A man was arrested for allegedly attempting to commit theft at a bank and an ATM here one after the other, police said on Tuesday.
An attempt was made to rob the bank's branch in Sheshadripuram area during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, they said.
Similarly, in the jurisdiction of Halasuru Gate police station, later an attempt was made to break open an ATM and do away with cash, police said.
However, in both these incidents, the alarm system was activated during the attempt, following which the suspect fled the spot before executing the theft.
"To detect these cases, five special teams comprising officers and staff were formed. The police prepared a strategic action plan and carried out a thorough investigation. Within 24 hours of the incidents, one accused was traced, secured, and taken into custody for interrogation. It has been ensured that such incidents do not create fear or insecurity among the public," a police statement said.
A detailed inquiry is being conducted regarding the background of the accused, including whether he has been involved in any previous cases, police said, adding that further investigation is ongoing.
In the coming days, appropriate measures will be taken to enhance security by coordinating with bank officials and security personnel, they added.
