In the case of gold theft from Kerala's Sabarimala Temple, the SIT raided the Bengaluru apartment and Bellary jewelry shop of the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potti. Several gold bars have been seized, and the investigation is still ongoing.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has intensified its actions in the case of gold theft from Kerala's Sabarimala Temple. On Saturday, the SIT raided the Bengaluru apartment of the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, and a jewelry shop in Bellary.
Potti was brought to Bengaluru on Friday in connection with the investigation. During this time, a jewelry shop named Govardhan, which had carried out the gold plating work for the door of the temple's Sreekovil (main sanctum sanctorum), was also inspected. Several gold bars have been seized in the raid, but it is not yet clear whether they are related to the plates of the 'Dwarapalaka' (door guardian) idols from 2019.
Potti's Remand at Chennai Office
In the next phase of the investigation, Potti will be taken to the Smart Creation office in Chennai, where the electroplating work was done in 2019. The Ranni Judicial First Class Magistrate Court had already remanded Potti to SIT custody until October 30.
The SIT aims to gather all relevant evidence during this period. The investigation has revealed that in 2019, Potti took the gold plates of the 'Dwarapalaka' idols from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) for electroplating and, without permission, took them to various temples and homes.
Potti Accused in Two Cases
Potti is implicated in two main charges in this case. First, the theft of gold from the 'Dwarapalaka' plates, and second, the theft of gold from the Sreekovil door frame. Potti has been arrested in connection with the theft of gold from the 'Dwarapalaka' plates. In the same case, the SIT recently arrested former Sabarimala administrative officer B. Murari Babu.
The SIT's investigation is attempting to clarify how and where the gold bars were taken. Officials state that this case is extremely sensitive from the perspective of temple security and administrative accountability.
SIT Investigation Ongoing
The SIT also visited Potti's apartment in Shrirampura and the Ayyappa Temple, where he previously served as a priest. The team is examining all related documents, gold bars, and evidence connected to the electroplating. Investigators aim to uncover all aspects of the case and ensure that all stolen property is recovered.
