SIT Questions Unnikrishnan Potty in Final Phase of Sabarimala Gold Loss Investigation

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged loss of gold from Kerala's Sabarimala temple questioned the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty , for more than eight hours as the investigation entered its final stage ahead of the submission of its report before the court.

According to officials, Potty appeared before the SIT at the Police Headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday morning and was interrogated until evening. Sources said the questioning forms part of the concluding phase of the investigation, with the SIT expected to file its final report and chargesheets before the court next week.

The case relates to the alleged disappearance of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the gold-plated doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) during a replating process undertaken in 2019. The temple's gold-plated artefacts were sent to a Chennai-based firm for electroplating after the work was sponsored by Potty.

Investigators suspect that gold was removed from the gold-clad plates of the artefacts during the replating process, resulting in a significant loss of precious metal. Potty has been named as the prime accused in both cases registered in connection with the alleged gold loss.

The SIT had recently informed the court that its investigation into both cases had been completed and that it was prepared to submit the chargesheets. Potty was arrested during the course of the probe but later secured statutory bail after spending more than three months in judicial custody.

The investigation was launched after the Kerala High Court directed the state government to constitute a Special Investigation Team to examine allegations of gold loss from the revered hill shrine. The SIT's final report is expected to determine the extent of the alleged irregularities and the criminal liability of those involved.