The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of gold from Kerala’s Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple arrested prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti early on October 17, 2025, marking the first major breakthrough in the high-profile case. Potti, a former priest-turned-businessman and temple sponsor, was detained following an intensive interrogation session led by Superintendent of Police Bijoy at a secure location in Pathanamthitta. Officials confirmed that all remand formalities have been completed, and Potti underwent a medical examination at Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital before being held in SIT custody. He is scheduled to appear before the Ranni Court by noon on October 18 for formal remand proceedings.
The arrest stems from two First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by the SIT on October 10, following directives from the Kerala High Court, which expressed dismay over the Travancore Devaswom Board’s (TDB) handling of temple artefacts. Potti, who sponsored the 2019 restoration of gold-plated copper panels on the dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) threshold, is accused of misappropriating approximately 475 grams—equivalent to 56 sovereigns—of gold.
Investigators allege that while only three grams were used for actual plating, the remainder was smuggled out under the guise of restoration work, with Potti collecting additional funds from two Bengaluru donors for the project. The FIRs name 10 individuals in total, with Potti as the primary suspect in both, and implicate a network including a middleman named Kalpesh and the firm Smart Creations, whose records on the plating job are reportedly missing.
During questioning, Potti confessed that the robbery was premeditated and alleged that TDB officials were complicit, claiming the stolen gold was distributed among board members. This revelation has intensified scrutiny on the TDB, which in 2019 authorised the handover of the artefacts to Potti without adequate oversight, as recommended by the then Sabarimala Executive Officer.
The SIT, headed by Additional Director General of Police H. Venkatesh, has expanded its probe to include potential involvement of a Hyderabad resident and irregularities in artefact duplication during Potti’s custody. The team plans to submit a sealed progress report to the High Court next week, within the six-week investigation deadline set by the bench. Earlier vigilance enquiries recovered some panels from Potti’s sister’s home in Thiruvananthapuram, uncovering discrepancies in gold weight and material grading.
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The development has triggered political backlash, with Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan and calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe. Speaking at a BJP Mahila Yuva Morcha protest in Thiruvananthapuram, Chandrasekhar accused the state government of shielding corruption at the revered hill shrine, which attracts millions of pilgrims annually. Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh echoed the need for a CBI inquiry, highlighting the case’s “serious malpractice”.
As the investigation unfolds, devotees and officials brace for revelations that could erode trust in one of India’s most sacred sites, with the SIT vowing to recover the missing gold and ensure accountability across all levels.
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