Sabarimala gold-plating case: SIT questions Unnikrishnan Potti again; final report on Monday

Thiruvananthapuram: In the Sabarimala gold theft case, accused Unnikrishnan Potti was once again questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The interrogation, held at the police headquarters, lasted for nearly eight hours, according to officials.

Potti was questioned again in connection with allegations related to the removal of gold-plated panels from Sabarimala in 2025. The SIT is scheduled to submit its final report on the case to the court on Monday.

The interrogation was conducted under the leadership of the ADGP, following an assessment that further clarity was required from the accused ahead of the submission of the final report. Officials indicated that the report’s filing could lead to further arrests or key revelations in the case.

The extended questioning was carried out to further verify and consolidate the evidence and documents already collected. The Special Investigation Team has also found indications that more individuals, apart from Unnikrishnan Potti, may be involved in the alleged scam. Police sources said several crucial details related to the case were confirmed during the latest round of questioning.

SIT probed alleged fabricated defects and warranty manipulation

Earlier this week, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold-plating controversy had reportedly found indications that non-existent defects were cited to justify the re-gilding of the Dwarapalaka panels in 2025. Investigators suspect this was part of a larger conspiracy involving document manipulation and attempts to bypass a 40-year warranty issued by Chennai-based Smart Creations.

The SIT probe has revealed that Smart Creations reportedly issued a 40-year warranty certificate on September 4 in the name of Unnikrishnan Potti. In the certificate Potti’s Bengaluru address was listed, without any reference to either the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) or Sabarimala. The warranty also reportedly excluded liability in cases of physical damage or chemical cleaning.

Therefore, investigators are examining the alleged inconsistencies in the case. One of the key points under scrutiny is the claim that panels gilded in 2019 developed cracks within three years. In contrast, earlier gold-plated panels installed in 1998 are said to have remained intact for over two decades.

The SIT also reviewed reports citing visible nickel on the panels, which could suggest chemical use that can potentially void the warranty. In fact, officials suspect some of these claims may exist only in documentation rather than on the actual structures.