Sabarimala gold scam accused Murari Babu dies in Kochi hospital

Travancore Devaswom Board’s former Administrative Officer and Sabarimala gold scam second accused Murari Babu died at a private hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for cancer, here on Saturday.

Murari Babu was under investigation in connection with the alleged theft of gold-plated panels from the Sabarimala temple’s door frames and ‘Dwarapalaka’ (guardian deity) sculptures.

A native of Perunna in Changanassery, ge died at Amrita Hospital after



being diagnosed with cancer.

The funeral will be held at his residence in Perunna at 3 pm on Saturday.

The Special Investigation Team had been probing allegations that gold-plated panels removed from Sabarimala were allegedly misappropriated.

Murari Babu, who was suspended from service after being named an accused, had claimed during questioning that the recording of the gold panels as copper was based on a letter from the temple priest.