The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged loss of gold from the Sabarimala temple interrogated the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, for over eight hours on Friday, officials said on Saturday. The questioning took place at the Police Headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, marking a critical step before the SIT files its final report in court next week.
Interrogation Details
According to sources, Potty appeared before the investigation team in the morning and was questioned until evening. The SIT had recently informed the court that its investigation into two cases—concerning the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the gold-plated doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum)—had been completed and that chargesheets would be filed soon.
Potty is the prime accused in both cases. He was arrested by the SIT during the investigation but later secured statutory bail after spending more than three months in judicial custody.
Background of the Scandal
Potty had sponsored the replating of the temple's gold-plated artefacts, which were sent to a firm in Chennai in 2019 for electroplating. The SIT suspects that gold was allegedly removed from the gold-clad plates of the artefacts during the replating process. The Kerala High Court had last year directed the state government to constitute a Special Investigation Team to probe the alleged gold loss.
Next Steps
The SIT is expected to file its final report before the court next week, concluding the investigation into one of the most high-profile temple asset cases in the state. The outcome will determine the legal course for Potty and any other individuals implicated in the alleged theft.
