Adding to the crisis, CPI(M) leaders and former TDB chiefs have publicly targeted each other over the issue. Why has the board suppressed the report about the missing gold in 2019? Why did the TDB and its chiefs – both current and former – allow gold to be illegally taken out of the temple premises? The TDB is now shielding those who have looted the temple,” said state Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan. Anandagopan, who headed the TDB between 2021 and 2023, emphasised the need to strictly follow the manual for handling temple valuables.