The Haripad MLA is scheduled to appear before the SIT at the Crime Branch headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.
Published Dec 10, 2025 | 10:51 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 10, 2025 | 10:51 AM
Ramesh Chennithala.
Synopsis: The SIT of Kerala Police’s Crime Branch will record senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala’s statement on 10 December, in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case. The Haripad MLA is scheduled to appear at the Crime Branch headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Kerala Police’s Crime Branch will record senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala’s statement on Wednesday, 10 December, in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case.
The Haripad MLA is scheduled to appear at the Crime Branch headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram at 11 am on Wednesday.
In a letter to Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) H Venkatesh, head of the SIT, he had said he received credible information from a person familiar with antique smuggling networks, indicating a conspiracy involving temple authorities and organised smugglers.
He had claimed to possess evidence and said that the deal could be worth up to ₹500 crore in the overseas black market, though its domestic value is estimated at around ₹50 crore.
He earlier alleged that the racket may be linked to a group associated with antiques dealer Subhash Kapoor, and claimed the crime was part of a wider plot to smuggle valuable temple artefacts from Kerala.
According to him, the source had shared details suggesting that elements within the Devaswom Board may have had close ties with a temple theft and smuggling racket operating across the state. He also pointed to the SIT’s failure to trace the missing gold as further evidence of international involvement.
Chennithala said that he had independently verified the information and found it reliable. The SIT issued a notice after his public statements.
Investigators had been focusing on the southern states, but his claims could push the probe beyond India.
The main accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, had told investigators he sold the gold to a Ballari-based jeweller, but Chennithala maintains it was diverted to an international network. He is expected to share more details, including the role of a Chennai-based mediator.
(With inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
