Shocking details emerge in Sabarimala gold probe: SIT reveals plot to steal more gold

Kochi: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has made serious revelations in its report on the Sabarimala gold smuggling case. According to the report, the accused had planned to steal the remaining gold from the sanctum sanctorum. It also states that three of the accused held secret meetings in Bengaluru when the case came before the High Court. The SIT found that the accused discussed possible courses of action in the event they were implicated.

The report details a conspiracy to steal gold from the Dwara Palaka idols, the seven-part door frame, and the gold-plated components of the sanctum sanctorum. Shankar, an expert associated with Smart Creations, allegedly extracted 409 grams of gold from the door frame. The gold was then passed on to Govardhan, a gold merchant based in Bellary, according to the SIT.

ALSO READ | ‘You did not even spare God’: SC setback for Shankardas in Sabarimala gold theft case

The case came before the High Court in October last year. After the fraud came to light, the court intervened firmly. It was during this period, the SIT says, that three key accused met in Bengaluru.

Based on mobile tower location data, the SIT found that the first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, the tenth accused, Pankaj Bhandari, and Govardhan met in Bengaluru in October 2025. The report states that they discussed the steps to be taken if the investigation tightened or if they were formally implicated.

ALSO READ | Sabarimala gold theft: SIT says missing gold far exceeds amount produced by accused

In total, fifteen people have been named as accused in the case involving the smuggling of gold from the Dwara Palaka idols, while twelve have been accused in the case related to the theft of gold from the door frame.