Sabarimala Gold Theft: Documents Reveal Unnikrishnan Potty’s Multi-Crore Land Deals and Money Lending Network

Thiruvananthapuram: The special investigation team (SIT) probing the alleged gold theft from the Sabarimala temple has unearthed a complex network of land dealings and financial transactions linked to the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty. During searches at his flat in Bengaluru, investigators seized documents related to large-scale land purchases and money lending in both Kerala and Bengaluru. The properties, reportedly worth several crores, were registered in Potty’s name as well as under benami ownership.
The SIT earlier found that Potty had sold the stolen temple gold to a Ballari-based trader named Govardhan. Around 400 grams of gold were recovered from the trader’s jewellery outlet, while another 176 grams were seized from Potty’s Bengaluru residence.
After completing evidence collection in Bengaluru and at Smart Creations — a Chennai-based firm that handled gold-plating work for the temple — the SIT brought Potty to the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday evening. His police custody has been extended until October 30.
Meanwhile, co-accused Murari Babu will be produced before the Ranni First Class Magistrate Court on Tuesday. The SIT has submitted a production warrant seeking his custody for further interrogation, citing the growing body of evidence and the need for detailed questioning to trace the financial and operational links behind the gold theft.