In a significant development in the Sabarimala gold missing case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has revealed in its remand report that a key accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, is alleged to have misappropriated around two kilograms of gold. This theft reportedly occurred during the electroplating of the Dwarapalaka idols in 2019. The SIT filed its report before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Ranni, leading to Potty’s arrest and subsequent custody until October 30.
Potty, who previously served as an assistant to the temple priest at Sabarimala from 2004 to 2008, was reportedly aware that the copper plates of the Dwarapalaka idols were gold-clad since 1998. Investigators claim he exploited this knowledge to orchestrate a fraudulent scheme, causing financial losses to the Travancore Devaswom Board.
According to the report, Potty submitted an application to “repair” the Dwarapalaka idol plates, which contained approximately two kilograms of gold. Following the removal of these plates, they were transported to various locations, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, eventually reaching ‘Smart Creations’ in Ambattur, Chennai. Here, it is alleged that the gold was illicitly extracted from the gold-clad copper plates.
The report further indicates that to cover his tracks, only 394.9 grams of gold were replated onto the plates. These plates were then displayed at different locations, a practice that reportedly goes against temple traditions, before being returned to Sabarimala. Additionally, it is noted that after the 2019 incident, Potty allegedly identified other donors for subsequent gold-plating, but the donated gold was not fully utilized for its intended purpose.
The investigation also uncovered that the Dwarapalaka plates were taken to various houses and temples in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kerala for religious ceremonies after the 2019 electroplating, with no apparent security measures in place.
The SIT apprehended Potty following information that he might attempt to abscond. His phone was found to be switched off when contacted. Given the court’s deadline for completing the investigation, his interrogation was deemed crucial.
The case has seen charges filed against 10 individuals, including Potty, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 403, 406, 466, and 467.