Sabarimala gold row: Photos of Unnikrishnan Potty with Pinarayi, Sonia Gandhi surface amid probe

Thiruvananthapuram: In a concerning development, several photos have emerged showing Unnikrishnan Potty, who is embroiled in controversies related to alleged irregularities in the gold plating of the Sabarimala Lord Ayappa temple.

The images come to light as the investigative team probes suspicious aspects of Potty’s dealings, including whether he used these connections to facilitate his alleged scams.

The photos reportedly show Potty posing with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, veteran Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, senior police officials and others. One picture shows him alongside the Chief Minister at a ceremony at the Secretariat premises, while another shows him at the police headquarters during an event honouring the ADGP. Sources suggest Potty had arranged these photo opportunities deliberately.

The Devaswom Vigilance had earlier found that Potty collected large sums under the pretext of gold-plating and other offerings at Sabarimala. There are suspicions that the gold-plated panels were taken to Bengaluru as part of this fundraising scheme. Footage has also surfaced showing the gold panels being taken to actor Jayaram’s residence in Chennai.

Reports allege that Potty collected funds from wealthy Ayyappa devotees in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, claiming a close connection with Sabarimala. The gold-plated panels, which were reportedly taken for renovation, were placed for pooja at the Srirampur Ayyappa temple in Bangalore.