Sabarimala Gold ‘Theft’ Case: Kerala SIT Arrests Prime Accused Unnikrishnan Potti
The Kerala Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested Unnikrishnan Potti, the prime accused in the alleged Sabarimala gold theft case, early on Friday, October 17, according to The Hindu.
The arrest marks the first major breakthrough in the high-profile case that has sparked political and religious debates across Kerala.
Mr Potti had earlier served as an assistant to a Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB)-appointed priest at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in the early 2010s. In September 2025, he revealed that two gold-plated copper overlays he had personally donated to the temple in 2019 were missing.
These missing artefacts were later recovered from his sister’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram, triggering an uproar and calls for a deeper probe.
According to The Hindu, the SIT took Mr Potti into custody after summoning him for questioning on Thursday. However, his location remained unclear for several hours, raising concerns among his family and the media.
Before the formal arrest, he was taken to the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital for a detailed medical examination. Later, the SIT allowed him to contact his family to confirm his safety and whereabouts.
The Kerala High Court had appointed the SIT to probe the alleged misappropriation of gold-plated copper moulds that adorned the sacred sculptures and carvings at the Sabarimala temple.
Also, read| Malayali Students Allege Brutal Police Assault & Humiliation In Delhi Over False Theft Case
As per The Hindu, the investigation focuses on the possible irregularities in handling temple artefacts, involving former TDB officials, private contractors, and restoration firms.
The case has become politically sensitive, with opposition parties demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan and TDB president P. S. Prasanth.
According to reports, Mr Potti’s “startling revelation” about the missing artefacts shocked the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government and disrupted its plans to hold the Global Ayyappa Sanghamam event.
Following the disclosure, the TDB’s internal vigilance conducted a preliminary inquiry and found that the gold-plated panels were indeed missing, but were later recovered from the home of Mr Potti’s sister.
As per The Hindu, vigilance officials told the High Court that the TDB had violated temple protocols by handing over valuable religious artefacts to Mr Potti, a private individual, for restoration. These artefacts were originally donated to Sabarimala in 1998 by industrialist Vijay Mallya.
Investigators believe the artefacts took a 39-day detour before reaching a restoration factory in Chennai. This has raised suspicions of duplication or possible sale of the original gold veneers to private collectors for personal worship.
Also, read| Chief Minister’s Body Shaming Remarks Shameful: Najeeb Kanthapuram MLA
The SIT’s investigation now extends to Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, tracing the movement of the temple artefacts.
Officials are examining Mr Potti’s 2019 phone records to track communications related to the artefacts’ transfer.
According to The Hindu, there are also reports suggesting that the artefacts were temporarily kept at the homes of film stars and celebrities for private worship — a serious violation of ritual protocol.
The SIT plans to produce Mr Potti before a magistrate in Ranni, Pathanamthitta district, and seek custody for further questioning.
So far, seven former and serving TDB officials have been named as co-accused in two separate FIRs registered by the SIT.
Officials have said the investigation remains in its early stages, and more arrests could follow as evidence is examined.
The Sabarimala temple, one of India’s most visited pilgrimage sites, holds deep religious significance. Any allegation of theft or mishandling of its sacred artefacts carries emotional and political weight in Kerala.
