Sabarimala gold theft case: Prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty remanded to judicial custody

Pathanamthitta: A court in Ranni on Thursday remanded Unnikrishnan Potty, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold theft cases, to judicial custody after his police custody period ended.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) produced Potty before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Ranni in the afternoon. When asked by the court if he had any complaints against the SIT, Potty replied in the negative but mentioned that he was suffering from several ailments and was on regular medication.

The prosecutor assured the court that necessary arrangements would be made to ensure he receives proper medical care and examination in jail. The prosecution further informed the court that Potty had not yet been arrested in another case registered in connection with the missing gold from the Sabarimala temple. The court directed the police to produce him again on Monday.

Following the hearing, Potty was remanded to judicial custody and shifted to the Special Jail in Thiruvananthapuram.

Potty had been in SIT custody in connection with the alleged theft of gold from the gold-coated copper plates of the Dwarapalaka idols at the temple. A second case concerns the disappearance of gold from the door frame of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum).

Meanwhile, former Sabarimala Administrative Officer B Murari Babu remains in SIT custody for four days, police said.