'Hatched conspiracy to loot all gold-plated objects from sanctum sanctorum'; SIT report in High Court

KOCHI: According to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), the accused planned a major theft in Sabarimala, including other gold ornaments in the shrine and other gold-plated items in the sanctum sanctorum. The accused Unnikrishnan Potty, Karnataka-based jewellery owner Govardhan, and Smart Creations CEO Pankaj Bhandari were involved in the planning. Devaswom officials provided them with unsolicited assistance.

In October 2025, while the case was under consideration by the High Court, they conspired to destroy evidence. For this, the three met secretly in Bengaluru. This was confirmed by examining phone call records. The serious revelation was made in the report filed by investigating officer S. Sasidharan in the High Court opposing Govardhan's bail plea. Justice A. Badaruddin adjourned the bail plea to Thursday.

The report said that when examining the involvement and method of the accused, it can be concluded that they had hatched a big conspiracy to loot gold. The investigation revealed that 1564.190 grams of gold were covered in the Dwarapalaka sculptures. The UB Group report states that 4302.660 grams of gold were used for the eight pillars around the shrine and the beadings on the sides.

This matter will be clear only after the results of the sample test conducted at the VSSC are received. After that, Govardhan will have to be questioned again. The report also says that releasing him on bail will affect the investigation.

1. Govardhan, a regular visitor to Sabarimala since 1995, knew that the entire shrine was covered in gold. Govardhan intervened shrewdly and found success in bringing the sculptures to Smart Creations in Chennai. The gold was removed, including from the sculptures.

2. 409 grams of gold were taken from the door frames, and 577 grams of gold from the dwarapalaka sculptures. After gold plating, the remaining 474.957 grams of gold were in the possession of Pankaj Bhandari. In return, Govardhan handed over another gold of the same amount through Kalpesh.

3. Govardhan's statement that he returned the amount of gold he received, which is Rs 14.97 lakh, makes evident his role in the whole theft. If he were innocent, Govardhan would have informed the Devaswom Board about the gold. Govardhan himself produced 474.960 grams of gold during interrogation.