THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has clarified that what happened in Sabarimala is a gold theft. The SIT will inform the high court in its investigation progress report that the first accused in the case, Unnikrishnan Potty, and his co-accused, conspired to steal the gold. The SIT will inform the court that Potty has been arrested and more are likely to be arrested soon.

It is hinted that the court proceedings in the plea related to the gold theft in Sabarimala will be held in closed room from today. The high court registrar has issued an order in this regard.

Meantime, the SIT will question Anantha Subramaniam, a friend of Unnikrishnan Potty, who received the gold sheets of the Dwarapalaka idols of the Sabarimala shrine from the Sannidhanam on July 19, 2019. Anantha Subramaniam of Bengaluru was summoned and questioned yesterday as well. He was questioned along with Potty.

Anantha Subramaniam took the gold sheets from Sannidhanam to Bengaluru. Anantha Subramaniam received the gold after signing in Potty's name. The SIT has concluded that the gold was stolen while being delivered to Smart Creations in Chennai from here. It is concluded that the stolen gold was sold to industrialists in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The investigation team is trying to find this.