The Sabarimala gold theft investigation has reached a crucial phase after the arrest of Unnikrishnan Potti, the main accused. He was taken into custody early Thursday morning following ten hours of questioning at the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram. His arrest is considered a major breakthrough in the case involving stolen gold from the Sreekovil structures at the Sabarimala temple.
According to officials, Potti smuggled gold under the guise of a temple sponsor. The SIT has filed two FIRs naming ten people, including Potti as the prime accused. Around 475 grams of gold were misappropriated, though only a small portion was used for temple plating. He also reportedly collected funds from two Bengaluru residents for the same work.
Suspicion has now extended to Travancore Devaswom Board officials. The SIT found procedural lapses in how the gold-plating work was approved. The former Sabarimala Executive Officer and three others have been named for negligence. Potti’s links with Smart Creations, a private gold-plating firm, are under scrutiny.
The SIT, led by SP Sashidharan, produced Potti before the Ranni court after his medical checkup. Corruption charges are expected under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The investigation continues to uncover possible insider involvement.
