Sabarimala gold-plating case: SIT says agreement was backdated to cover secret panel removal

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold-plating case has found that a backdated agreement was allegedly prepared after the Dwarapalaka (door guardian) panels from the Sreekovil were secretly removed in 2025 and the matter came to light. 

The agreement stating that Unnikrishnan Potti would bear the entire cost of the gold-plating was executed only after the panels had reached Chennai. Investigators believe the document was prepared after the panels were taken for repair works. First accused Unnikrishnan Potti and Thiruvabharanam Commissioner Rajilal were the parties to the agreement. It is said events took a different course after the Kerala High Court became aware on September 8, 2025, that the panels had been removed.

A stamp paper was purchased in Ballari on September 8 in the name of Bengaluru-based Unnikrishnan Potti. It is learnt that Govardhan, a jewellery shop owner from Ballari, and Pankaj Bhandari, owner of the Chennai-based Smart Creations, played a role in procuring it. 

The stamp paper reached Chennai only on September 10. The alleged fake agreement was prepared the same day. The intention was to create the impression that the agreement had been finalised before the panels reached Smart Creations in Chennai. However, the panels had arrived at the firm in the early hours of September 9.

The Dwarapalaka panels were removed on the night of September 7, 2025. The next day, the Special Commissioner appointed by the High Court for Sabarimala learnt about the development and sought a report from the Travancore Devaswom Board. The Board's report reached the Special Commissioner at around 5.30 pm that evening. By then, the vehicle carrying the panels had reportedly left Kerala. The Special Commissioner reported the matter to the High Court the same day.

The issue became public on September 9 after it was reported in the media. As a result, there was apparently a scramble to put the necessary paperwork in place for the secret removal of the panels.

At that stage, the only document available was a Board resolution signed by the then Travancore Devaswom Board president, PS Prashanth, and member A Ajikumar. The resolution stated that the gold-plating work would be carried out at Unnikrishnan Potti's expense.

However, based on the Board's decision, a formal agreement with Potti should have been executed before the panels were removed.