New move in gold theft; Special investigation team leaves for Bengaluru with Unnikrishnan Potty

PATHANAMTHITTA: Unnikrishnan Potty, arrested in the gold theft case in Sabarimala, has been taken to Bengaluru for collecting evidence. The special investigation team left with Unnikrishnan Potty by road early Friday morning. After collecting evidence in Bengaluru, he will be taken to Chennai and Hyderabad. It was also revealed that he made money by displaying the gold-plated sheets at three places. The investigation team has now taken Unnikrishnan Potty to collect evidence to clarify this.

Meantime, the statement of former administrative officer Murari Babu, who was arrested in the case, is also crucial. Murari Babu's statement is that he registered as copper plated in the register as per the instructions of his superiors. Unnikrishnan Potty had also given a similar statement to the investigation team earlier. With this, the noose against the Devaswom high-ups in the gold theft has tightened. The high court has ordered an investigation into many including the intervention of the present board.

Murari Babu, who was produced at the Ranni First Class Judicial Magistrate Court at 6 pm yesterday, was remanded for 14 days. The trial was videotaped in a closed room in the court. Since the court hours were over yesterday, the date for the accused to be produced again on the production warrant will be announced this morning. The investigation team will take him into custody on that day. The police yesterday informed that the accused will be questioned in detail to find those responsible and the role of each. It will also be examined whether an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act was committed. He was brought to the court with tight security. A shoe was hurled at Unnikrishnan Potty when he was produced.