From Priest to Prime Accused: How Unnikrishnan Potti’s Fall Shook Sabarimala’s Faith
Unnikrishnan Potti's fall from grace in temple theft trap.
Once hailed as a devoted sponsor and insider at Sabarimala temple, Unnikrishnan Potti's reputation has crumbled amid a shocking gold theft probe. The former assistant priest, now the prime accused, faces public outrage after allegedly masterminding the replacement of sacred gold with cheap bronze replicas. His dramatic courtroom appearance drew hurled shoes from furious crowds, turning the once-respected figure into a pariah overnight.
Potti's downfall ignited over a seemingly innocent alert about missing pedestals from the dwarapalaka idols, sparking a fierce debate on temple security. What started as a devotee's cry soon exposed his own involvement when investigators raided his sister's home, uncovering the stolen artifacts. Admitting to his aide's role in "maintenance" during COVID, Potti blamed his epilepsy for forgetting the items—claims that only deepened suspicions of a calculated cover-up.
The Special Investigation Team's remand report paints a damning picture: Potti, leveraging his intimate knowledge of the shrine from his 2004-2008 tenure, orchestrated the theft of around 2 kg of gold-plated copper sheets in July 2019. Colluding with insiders duty-bound to safeguard assets, he violated court directives and board protocols, swapping valuables for fakes on the idols and pillars flanking the sanctum. Nine accomplices allegedly aided this brazen heist, exploiting the 1998 gold-plating project.
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In a symbolic twist, the restored gold-covered copper plates were reinstalled on the Dwarapalaka idols Friday, aligning with the temple's five-day monthly poojas. Led by melsanthi Arun Kumar Namboothiri and thantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu, the ritual unfolded amid heightened devotion, with TDB President P S Prasanth overseeing proceedings. Devotees witnessed the affixation, a poignant restoration amid the SIT's ongoing scrutiny of the 2019 scandal.
As millions of Ayyappa followers reel from the breach of trust, the SIT pushes to deny Potti bail, citing risks to the shrine's sanctity. With President Droupadi Murmu's visit slated for October 22—complete with darsan curbs—the probe intensifies, promising revelations that could reshape temple governance and expose deeper rot in Kerala's sacred heart.
Also Read: Kerala HC Orders Criminal Case Over Alleged Gold Theft at Sabarimala
