Earlier this month, a court ordered the registration of a case regarding the “missing” gold after businessman Unnikrishnan Potti sent the idols to a firm in Chennai for electroplating. | Photo credit: LEJU KAMAL
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged irregularities that led to the reduction in weight of the gilded copper covers of the Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala temple by 4.5 kg from 2019 submitted a preliminary report to the Kerala High Court on Tuesday (October 21, 2025).
The report was submitted in a sealed envelope by S. Sasidharan, SP, to whom the High Court had entrusted the investigation earlier this month. The case was heard in camera by a bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar, with neither the public nor mediators allowed to enter the court.
Earlier this month, a court ordered the registration of a case regarding the “missing” gold after businessman Unnikrishnan Potti sent the idols to a firm in Chennai for electroplating. The order was passed soon after the Vigilance wing of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) submitted a report. He also ordered the formation of an SIT to probe the matter and also the alleged irregularities in the gilding work on the frames.
The SIT on Saturday searched the house of Mr. Potti, the prime suspect in the case, to seize records and other evidence related to the “missing” gold.
In an investigation report filed in the Ranni Magistrate’s Court, Pathanamtitta on Friday, the SIT accused Mr. Potti, besides nine serving and retired members of the TDB, of conspiracy, theft and illegal pecuniary gain, among others, causing the loss of the temple.
The SIT further noted that Mr. Potti, who worked as an assistant priest at the temple from 2004 to 2008, was aware of the gold-plated coverings donated by industrialist Vijay Mallya in 1998, which had a significant amount of gold.
Published – 21 Oct 2025 13:18 IST
