SIT Recovers 400g Gold Sold by Potti in Ballari; Jeweller Claims Ignorance
SIT recovers 400g of stolen Sabarimala gold from a Ballari jeweller; he claims he was unaware of the theft.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case achieved a significant breakthrough on Saturday by recovering over 400 grams of gold from Roddam Jewellery in Ballari. The precious metal, allegedly part of the loot stolen from the famed Kerala temple, was sold by prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti to local jeweller Govardhanan, who melted it into bars and stored it in his shop. Authorities are verifying whether the full 476 grams reportedly handed over by Potti has been retrieved.
Potti, a former temple employee, is accused of syphoning off gold offerings over several years. The SIT traced the transaction after interrogating Govardhanan on Friday. The jeweller claimed ignorance of the gold’s illicit origins, stating he first met Potti in 2019 when the latter offered to donate a new temple door—an act Govardhanan viewed as religiously meritorious. Sources indicate investigators may designate him as a witness pending legal clearance, as he maintains no involvement in the theft itself.
The recovery followed meticulous tracking of financial trails and cross-state coordination between Kerala and Karnataka police. Roddam Jewellery has remained shuttered since the raid, with a contact number posted for customers. The closure reportedly began days earlier, possibly in anticipation of scrutiny. The SIT continues to analyse records to establish the complete chain of custody and value of the misappropriated gold.
Also Read: From Priest to Prime Accused: How Unnikrishnan Potti’s Fall Shook Sabarimala’s Faith
This development strengthens the case against Potti and his accomplices, with authorities now focusing on additional buyers and potential accomplices in the multi-crore scam.
The Sabarimala theft has drawn widespread attention due to the temple’s cultural significance and the breach of trust involving sacred donations. Further recoveries and arrests are anticipated as the investigation expands across jewellery networks in southern India.
Also Read: Sabarimala Gold Theft: Sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti Arrested, SIT Investigates Alleged TDB Involvement
