The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the sensational Sabarimala gold theft case has made its first major arrest. Unnikrishnan Potti, a key sponsor at the Sabarimala temple, was taken into custody early Friday after hours of interrogation by the team led by SP Bijoy.
Officials confirmed that all formalities for his remand have been completed and that he will be produced before the Ranni Court by noon on Saturday. Potti was taken to Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital for a medical examination before being placed in SIT custody.
The Case So Far
Potti’s arrest marks a crucial breakthrough in the investigation into the theft of gold from the dwarapalaka (guardian deity) sculptures and the kattilappadi (threshold) of the Sreekovil at the Sabarimala temple.
The SIT has registered two FIRs in the case, naming 10 accused, with Potti listed in both. Investigators allege that Potti, who was involved in temple renovation as a “sponsor,” smuggled out temple gold under the guise of plating work.
The estimated loss amounts to 475 grams of gold (about 56 sovereigns). Of this, only three grams were actually used for plating the rest was allegedly misappropriated.
Investigations further revealed that Potti also collected money from two people in Bengaluru for similar plating work, despite using the same materials.
‘The Robbery Was Planned’
During interrogation, Potti allegedly confessed that the gold theft was pre-planned and claimed that officials from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) were aware of the operation.
According to SIT sources, the stolen gold was shared among multiple individuals, including some TDB officials. A middleman named Kalpesh has emerged as a key link in the conspiracy, while the role of Smart Creations, the firm tasked with temple metalwork, is also under scrutiny.
Several records of work done by Smart Creations have reportedly gone missing, raising suspicions of a wider cover-up. The SIT is expected to submit a sealed progress report to the Kerala High Court next week.
Political Fallout: BJP Demands Minister’s Resignation
The scandal has triggered a political storm in Kerala. State BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar demanded the resignation of Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan, accusing the government of failing to protect temple assets.
“The BJP will urge the Centre to order a CBI or Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into the Sabarimala gold robbery,” Chandrasekhar said during a protest by the BJP Mahila Yuva Morcha in Thiruvananthapuram.
As the SIT widens its net, more arrests are expected in the coming days.
