SIT Takes Prime Accused Unnikrishnan Potty to Bengaluru in Sabarimala Gold Theft Case

Thiruvananthapuram: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the disappearance of gold from the Sabarimala temple on Friday took the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, to Bengaluru as part of the ongoing evidence collection process, officials said.
The SIT team, accompanied by Potty, left the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram by road early in the morning. Sources noted that the exact mode of travel has not been officially confirmed. Officials also indicated that Potty may be taken to Chennai and Hyderabad as part of the investigation.
The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Ranni had earlier granted the SIT custody of Potty until October 30. Investigators aim to complete the collection of evidence before the end of his custody period, sources added.
According to the SIT, Potty had received gold-clad plates of the Dwarapalaka, for electroplating in 2019 from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). He allegedly transported these plates to various temples and residences across South India without proper authorisation. After the electroplating was completed at a Chennai-based firm, he reportedly displayed the plates at multiple locations in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kerala.
Potty, who is based in Bengaluru, had also been associated with a temple in the city. Officials said that some of his sponsored works at Sabarimala temple were funded by individuals in Karnataka. He is currently the prime accused in two cases concerning the disappearance of gold from the plates of Dwarapalaka idols and the Sreekovil door frames.
Currently, Potty has been arrested in connection with the case involving the missing gold from the Dwarapalaka plates. Recently, the SIT also arrested former Sabarimala administrative officer B Murari Babu.