Investigators suspect a larger conspiracy involving Travancore Devaswom Board officials and temple contractors.
Published Oct 25, 2025 | 2:25 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 25, 2025 | 2:25 PM
Gold-plated sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala.
Synopsis: The SIT investigating the Sabarimala temple gold theft recovered gold from Roddam Jewels in Ballari, linked to prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti. The gold, allegedly from the temple’s Dwarapalaka sculptures, was sold to jeweller Govardhan. The SIT seized 476 grams of gold, cash, and coins. Forensic tests are pending to confirm the gold’s origin, with more arrests likely as the multi-state probe continues.
In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing probe into the alleged theft of gold from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has reportedly recovered gold from Ballari in Karnataka, which is said to be connected with the gold missing from Sabrimala.
The gold was traced to a jewellery shop – Roddam Jewels – owned by businessman Govardhan, who admitted to purchasing it from Unnikrishnan Potti, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold misappropriation case.
According to officials, the SIT team from Thiruvananthapuram reached Ballari on 24 October following leads provided by Potti during interrogation.
Acting on this information, the team conducted a search at Roddam Jewels, owned by Govardhan, and recovered gold believed to be part of the quantity smuggled out of Sabarimala.
While Govardhan told investigators that Potti had handed over 476 grams of gold, officials have not yet confirmed whether the entire quantity has been recovered.
Along with the gold, around ₹2 lakh in cash and a few gold coins were also seized from different locations, including Potti’s residence in Pulimath and Bengaluru.
The recovered gold will be produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Ranni.
Investigators believe the missing gold originated from the Dwarapalaka sculptures at the Sabarimala temple. The gold-plated copper plates had been taken out in 2019 for electroplating at a Chennai-based firm – Smart Creations – but the quantity of gold that was removed from these plates allegedly never made its way back.
According to the SIT, Potti, who worked as an assistant to a priest appointed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), transported the gold to various temples and establishments across South India without authorisation. After the plating work, he is suspected to have displayed the gold-plated panels at locations in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kerala.
Investigations have revealed that Potti and Govardhan were acquaintances for several years. The two reportedly met at an Ayyappa temple in Srirampuri, Bengaluru, where Govardhan, a devotee, befriended Potti during his tenure as a Shanthikaran (ritual assistant).
Their association continued even after Potti took up work related to temple renovation and gold plating at Sabarimala.
When gold from the Dwarapalaka sculptures was brought to Chennai for plating, Govardhan allegedly provided additional gold for the process.
Later, Potti sold part of the extracted gold to Govardhan in Ballari.
While sources in the Crime Branch confirmed the recovery of gold, they remain cautious about disclosing details.
Officials have stated that it is yet to be conclusively established whether the recovered gold is the same that went missing from Sabarimala.
“The recovered gold will undergo forensic and purity testing. A detailed report will be submitted to the Kerala High Court once the evidence collection process is complete,” said an officer associated with the investigation.
The SIT, led by SP Sasidharan, has been moving across multiple states, including Bengaluru, Ballari, Hyderabad, and Chennai, for evidence collection.
Potti’s custody, granted by the Ranni court until October 30, was meant to facilitate this multi-state probe.
The SIT recently arrested Murari Babu, former administrative officer of Sabarimala, in connection with the case. He is the second accused in the Dwarapalaka gold theft case and the sixth accused in the door frame gold theft case.
Investigators suspect a larger conspiracy involving Devaswom Board officials and temple contractors.
“It is reported that more officials of the Devaswom Board may face arrest as the probe progresses,” an official said.
Travancore Devaswom Board president PS Prashanth said the investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case was “progressing effectively” and expressed confidence that all culprits, regardless of their rank or position, would be brought to book.
“If there are high-ranking officials involved, they too will be identified and held accountable,” Prashanth told the media on Saturday.
The TDB is also convening at Thiruvananthapuram.
The SIT was constituted by the Kerala High Court to investigate the alleged misappropriation of gold used for plating copper moulds covering the stone carvings and sculptures at the Sabarimala temple. The case, which triggered widespread public outrage, revolves around the suspected siphoning of gold meant for the sanctum’s renovation and its illicit sale across states.
With the latest recovery from Ballari and statements from both Potti and Govardhan corroborating each other, investigators believe they are closing in on establishing the chain of theft and sale.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
