T’puram: Vigilance officials began recording the statements of film personalities in connection with the alleged irregularities in the reinstallation of the flag mast (kodimaram) at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple in 2017.It is reliably learnt that filmmakers Shaji Kailas, Renji Panicker and producer G Suresh Kumar confirmed to the vigilance team that they donated gold for the reinstallation. The three stated that the gold was given in the form of coins. They also shared the details of the quantity they contributed. However, some of the donors told officials that they did not recall the precise weight of their donations.It is also learnt that actor Mohanlal as well as Union minister and actor Suresh Gopi informed vigilance that they were willing to give statements. Officials plan to complete the recording of statements of all 27 individuals identified in devaswom records as having donated gold within a week.Vigilance is also examining whether anyone apart from the 27 persons listed in devaswom records donated gold for the reinstallation. Officials are considering issuing a public notice in the media asking those who contributed gold to come forward. By accounting for the quantities disclosed by donors who present evidence, vigilance expects to ascertain the actual total amount of gold received for the reinstallation.
