Kochi, Oct. 4 -- The controversy around the gold-plated copper sheets enveloping the 'Dwarapalaka' idols at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala intensified on Friday, with allegations of theft and deception being arrayed against Unnikrishnan Potty, a priest-turned-businessman who sponsored the gold-plating in 2019, and opposition parties demanding a stronger investigation into the issue.

The row erupted last month after the Special Commissioner (Sabarimala), in a report submitted to the High Court stated that the gold-plated copper sheets of the Dwarapalaka idols were taken recently to Chennai for repairs and electroplating without acquiring necessary permission from him and the court. During the hearing, the HC bench noted that the weight o...