Sabarimala gold row: Former Devaswom Minister admits meeting Potti, clarifies nature of interaction

Thiruvananthapuram: Former Devaswom Minister of Kerala Kadakampally Surendran on Wednesday clarified his association with Sabarimala gold theft case accused Unnikrishnan Potti. According to Surendran, his visit to Potti’s residence in 2017 was solely to attend a child’s function.

Addressing the media, Surendran said he had informed the investigation agency about his relationship with Potti both in his official capacity as Devaswom Minister and on a personal level, adding that he met Potti as a devotee of Sabarimala Ayyappan.

He said he had gone to Potti’s house under police escort and denied receiving any gifts or donations. “The SIT has not informed me of any such statement (implying against Surendran). I have told everything to the investigation team.... Fortunately, Potti has not made any donation,” Surendran said.

However, he declined to answer questions regarding an alleged meeting with Potti in Bengaluru and a photograph reportedly showing the two together.

Earlier, Unnikrishnan Potti told the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that he had been acquainted with Surendran since 2017 and that the former minister had visited his residence, according to sources familiar with the statement.