THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA | October 9, 2025 – Leader of the Opposition (LoP) V. D. Satheesan announced that he would legally challenge the notice sent by former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, while sharply demanding that Surendran publicly identify the “millionaire” who allegedly purchased the original Dwarapalaka (door-guardian) sculpture from the temple premises.
Addressing the media, Satheesan mounted a strong defense of his previous statements, arguing that his questions are rooted in the findings of the High Court.
”My first reason is that the sale of the Dwarapalaka sculpture is a conclusion reached by the High Court,” Satheesan stated. “During its transport to Chennai, a fake mold of the idol was prepared in forty days, and the original Dwarapalaka idol was sold for a huge sum. The High Court specifically noted that the buyer was also deceived as they were not told it was stolen property.”
Responsibility and Cover-Up Allegations
The LoP also pinned responsibility for the alleged temple asset loss on the former minister. He highlighted recent statements by the current Devaswom Minister, V. N. Vasavan, and the Devaswom Board President, who claimed that all issues occurred in 2019—a period when Surendran held the portfolio.
Satheesan directly questioned the close relationship between the former Minister and Unnikrishnan Potti, the person allegedly central to the replacement of the idol. “Kadakampally Surendran cannot deny his good relationship with Unnikrishnan Potti, then and now,” he said.
Furthermore, Satheesan alleged a deliberate cover-up, pointing to the High Court judgment which indicates the government and Devaswom Board were aware of the loss of temple properties, including doors and doorframes, since 2022 but suppressed the information.
”If Unnikrishnan Potti is solely responsible, why was no case filed against him? It is because a case against him would implicate people including Kadakampally,” Satheesan alleged.
Divine Intervention and Further Threats
Satheesan also revealed that Potti, the accused, had recently been recalled by the current Minister Vasavan and the Devaswom Board in 2025—a meeting that was exposed only due to the court’s intervention.
He concluded by suggesting that the court’s timely intervention was akin to “Lord Ayyappan himself intervening” to prevent a second major theft—the gold idol (Thanga Vigraham).
”We thought only gold was taken, but the Dwarapalaka sculpture was sold. The original was sold after replacing it with a fake mold,” Satheesan said, reaffirming his demand to know the identity of the millionaire purchaser. “The government and Devaswom Board have no defense in this matter.”
