In a dramatic turn in the high-profile Sabarimala gold theft case, the arrested priest’s health has suddenly deteriorated, leading to his immediate hospitalization. The incident has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation into the multi-crore robbery at one of India’s most revered temples.
The priest, identified as a key suspect in the daring heist where over 300 kilograms of gold ornaments vanished from the Sabarimala shrine’s sanctum sanctorum, complained of severe chest pain and breathing difficulties while in custody. Authorities acted swiftly, transferring him to a nearby government hospital under tight security.
Medical reports indicate a possible cardiac episode, though detailed tests are underway. Temple officials and devotees are closely watching the developments, with many expressing concerns over the priest’s role and the broader security lapses at the hilltop shrine visited by millions annually.
The theft, uncovered last month, sent shockwaves through Kerala and beyond. Preliminary probes revealed insider involvement, with the priest allegedly masterminding the operation using his intimate knowledge of the temple’s layout and rituals. Recovered gold so far amounts to a fraction of the stolen haul, keeping investigators on high alert.
Police sources hint at deeper conspiracies involving temple staff and external smuggling networks. As the priest battles for recovery, interrogations have paused, but digital forensics and CCTV analysis continue unabated. Devotees pray not just for the missing gold’s recovery but for justice to prevail at this sacred site.
This health scare underscores the intense pressures in such sensitive cases, where faith, crime, and public scrutiny intersect. Updates from the hospital are awaited, as the nation watches Sabarimala’s gold mystery unfold.