Gold worth Rs 2.56 crore looted from Sabarimala, says SIT

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has found that Unnikrishnan Potty (52) stole two kilograms of gold - about 250 sovereigns - from the Sabarimala Sreekovil. The value of one sovereign (8 grams) of 24-carat gold is Rs 1,02,232, which means the total worth comes to about Rs 2.56 crore. Since this gold was used for the sanctum sanctorum, its “divine value” is considered several times higher.

There is also suspicion that gold sheets cut from the Sreekovil were sold to wealthy devotees. The two kilograms of gold were taken from the Dwarapalaka sculptures and the pillars on the northern and southern sides of the shrine.

According to the report submitted to the court, Unnikrishnan Potty, with the support of Devaswom Board members and officials who were responsible for protecting temple property, committed fraud and breach of trust by stealing the gold. The gold from the panels was separated at Smart Creations in Chennai, and after taking possession of it, Potty tried to cover up the theft by applying a 394.9-gram gold coating. For this purpose, he collected large amounts of gold from various sponsors but did not use all of it - keeping a portion for himself. Investigators still need to identify from whom Potty received these gold donations and what happened to the stolen gold. The remand report states that Potty misused temple property from within the Sreekovil itself, betraying the faith of millions of devotees. Investigation team chief SP Sasidharan was present in court during the proceedings.

Conspiracy at Sannidhanam

According to hints from the investigation, Unnikrishnan Potty told the Crime Branch that the gold theft plan was made soon after he arrived at Sannidhanam to manage the sponsorship work, and that certain officials were also involved in the conspiracy.

Potty, who was arrested at 2:45 a.m. yesterday, was produced before the Ranni First Class Magistrate Court by 10 a.m. While being taken to the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram, Potty told the media, “Those who trapped me will face the law,” referring to those he claims framed him.