Sabarimala gold theft probe: Chief priests say they acted on officials’ orders, admit knowing Potti

Pathanamthitta: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has recorded the statements of Sabarimala tantris (chief priests) Kandararu Rajeevaru and Kandararu Mohanaru in connection with the Sabarimala gold smuggling case.

The chief priests said they allowed the removal of the gold sheets solely because officials directed them to do so. They emphasised that their role was limited to granting approval for matters considered appropriate under temple rituals.

They testified that the permission was given because officials requested that the sheets be removed for necessary repair work. According to their statement, Devaswom Board officials had formally asked for approval to take out the gold-plated sheets.

The priests also said they were acquainted with Unnikrishnan Potti, one of the accused in the case. They knew him because he had served as the Keezhshanthi (junior priest) at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam since 2008. They added that they had no knowledge of any wrongdoing on his part.

Meanwhile, Potti had previously claimed that he cultivated friendships with several people by leveraging his ties to the chief priest’s family. Officials later found that he used this connection to gain access to affluent individuals in other states as well.