Sabarimala Gold Theft: Actor Jayaram Likely to Appear Before ED Today

Kochi: Jayaram is likely to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case. The central agency had summoned the actor last week, asking him to appear at its Kochi office.

The ED is seeking clarification regarding financial transactions between Jayaram and the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti. Earlier, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had questioned the actor at his residence in Chennai, following which the ED decided to conduct a separate inquiry. Jayaram is currently listed as a witness in the case.

The actor faced a major setback after photographs surfaced showing gold pieces meant to be placed on the Dwarapalaka sculptures at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam being taken to his Chennai residence and used for a puja.

Jayaram has maintained that he is a devout devotee of Lord Ayyappa and that he participated in the puja purely as an act of faith. He told investigators that he was unaware of Unnikrishnan Potti’s alleged fraudulent activities and said he knew him only as a fellow Ayyappa devotee. Jayaram also stated that he does not know the source of the gold pieces or what happened to them later.

The ED is now probing whether Jayaram had any role in financial dealings linked to the alleged gold theft. Earlier, the police had considered naming him only as a witness in the case.

Recently, the ED also questioned former Devaswom Board secretary Jayashree. In the coming days, the agency is expected to question others, including Unnikrishnan Potti.