Sabarimala gold theft case: Was sculpture deliberately damaged? SIT probes fresh angles

Fresh doubts have emerged in the Sabarimala gold theft case after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) began examining whether damage to a gold-plated Dwarapalaka sculpture was deliberately caused to enable repairs under a 40-year warranty.

The investigation has also uncovered what the SIT describes as a change in the proposed repair arrangement following the Kerala High Court's intervention. According to investigators, the original plan was for the repair cost to be borne by the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potti. However, after the court became aware of the development, the work was allegedly carried out by the manufacturer under the warranty.

The findings form part of the SIT's wider probe into alleged irregularities surrounding the gold plating of Sabarimala temple sculptures.

SIT examines alleged link between damage and warranty claim

According to the SIT, the Dwarapalaka sculpture was gold-plated in 2019 and carried a 40-year warranty issued by Chennai-based Smart Creations.

The sculpture was taken up for repair last year after it sustained damage. Investigators now suspect the damage was intentional and allege that Unnikrishnan Potti, the owner of Smart Creations, conspired with officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board to create circumstances that would allow the sculpture to be sent back for repair.

The SIT has reconstructed the sequence of events leading to the repair.

According to investigators, problems arose while installing a newly fabricated pedestal after officials found that its measurements were inaccurate and it did not fit properly. During attempts to secure the pedestal, part of the sculpture's leg broke. The SIT is examining whether this damage was deliberately caused.

The agency further alleges that the sculpture was subsequently transported to Chennai for repairs in violation of provisions of the Devaswom Manual and directions issued by the High Court.

High Court intervention altered repair proposal, says SIT

The SIT has also questioned how the repair costs were eventually handled.

According to the investigation, the initial proposal in 2025 was for Unnikrishnan Potti to bear the entire cost of re-gold plating the Dwarapalaka sculptures. Investigators allege that this plan changed after the High Court became aware of the development.

The work was ultimately carried out by Smart Creations under the warranty, the SIT said.

Investigators further allege that a report approved by the Travancore Devaswom Board was prepared in a manner that enabled the repairs to be treated as a warranty claim.

The SIT has pointed to the warranty certificate issued by Smart Creations in 2019 in Potti's name. According to investigators, the certificate stated that the warranty would not apply if the sculptures sustained damage.

The agency alleges that the report describing the nature of the damage was prepared and approved in a way that addressed this warranty condition, allowing the repairs to proceed under the warranty despite the stated exclusion.

Movement of sculptures and role of Special Commissioner under scrutiny

The SIT has also examined how the sculptures were moved before repairs.

According to investigators, the sculptures were initially shifted without informing the High Court-appointed Special Commissioner. The agency believes those involved expected the process to continue without objection.

However, the situation changed after the Special Commissioner became aware of the movement and submitted a report to the High Court.

The SIT believes that proceeding with the earlier proposal, under which Potti would have borne the repair costs, could have attracted questions from the High Court. Investigators therefore allege that Smart Creations owner Pankaj Bhandari decided to undertake the work under the warranty instead.

According to the SIT, the repair work cost around ₹12 lakh.

Probe widens to former Devaswom Board leadership

The investigation has also turned its focus to the functioning of the previous Travancore Devaswom Board administration.

According to the SIT, Unnikrishnan Potti developed a close association with former board president P.S. Prashanth soon after the latter assumed office and gained his confidence.

Investigators also believe Potti influenced other members of the board before the decision was taken to send the sculpture to Chennai for repairs.

The agency is examining whether developments during Prashanth's tenure warrant registration of a separate criminal case.

On Monday, after the High Court report was released, former Travancore Devaswom Board president P.S. Prashanth said the gold-plating work had been carried out under the warranty.

The SIT's findings remain part of an ongoing investigation, and the allegations have not been tested in court.

Separate chargesheet could lead to arrests

The High Court has provided two options regarding developments linked to the 2025 episode. One is to register a separate case, while the other is to incorporate the allegations into the chargesheet already filed in the 2019 case.

If the SIT opts to register a separate case, fresh arrests could follow.

Unnikrishnan Potti, Pankaj Bhandari and Thantri Kandar Rajeevar are currently on bail in the 2019 case. If a separate case is registered, the investigating agency would also have to consider seeking cancellation of their bail.