Thiruvananthapuram: The Sabarimala gold controversy is taking fresh twists day by day as attention turns to Bengaluru-based Malayali sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty, a former junior priest at Sabarimala.

Potty, originally from Pulimath near Kilimanoor, previously assisted his father at the Pulimath Devi Temple and served as a junior priest at several temples, including the Sriramapura Ayyappa Temple in Bengaluru, before his tenure at Sabarimala.

Authorities are now scrutinising Potty’s financial and land dealings, as the investigation into the missing temple gold continues to intensify.

New evidence emerges

The SIT is investigating how Potty, who has no regular income, got significant funds. The Devaswom Vigilance report also contains serious allegations against him. The Devaswom Vigilance SP has requested a probe into Potty’s financial dealings in a report submitted to the High Court.

Possible links to other sponsors

Sources say the investigation team has raised doubts about Potty’s finances. In 2025 alone, Rs 10 lakh was credited to Potty’s account from a company called Kamakshi Enterprises, with no clear explanation. The authorities are probing how such large sums reached the account of someone without a steady income.

These financial transactions have strengthened suspicions that Potty may have acted on behalf of others. The SIT has widened the probe to cover these concerns, including the bank accounts of Potty and his close relatives and associates.

Investigators will also examine Potty’s travel history and phone records of officials named in the vigilance report to understand the depth of his connections.

Further evidence has emerged corroborating the Devaswom Vigilance report that Vijay Mallya’s UB Group wrapped items in pure gold. A 1998 letter from the UB Group to the Devaswom Board details the exact quantity of gold used in the roof and Dwarapalaka sculptures – 1,564.190 grams for the Dwarapalaka sculpture and 15,219.980 grams for the roof. This letter forms a key piece of evidence for the vigilance report, which also includes statements from individuals involved in the 1998 gold-plating work. A detailed report on the matter was submitted to the High Court.

Meanwhile, the special investigation team continues its inspection of the gold-theft case. Documents seized by the Devaswom Vigilance will be handed over to the SIT through Devaswom officials.

Potty is not the actual sponsor

The vigilance team found that many expenses attributed to Potty as a sponsor were actually covered by others. The report states that Potty approached the Devaswom Board, intending to defraud the Board and claim two kilograms of gold from the plates and repair work. The report urges an investigation to identify the actual sponsor behind these contributions.

Potty was credited with replacing a damaged door and plating it with gold, but the real sponsor was Govardhan, a businessman from Ballari, Karnataka. Similarly, copper plates covering the shrine’s mat were gold-plated with funds provided by Ajikumar, a Malayali permanent resident of Bengaluru.

The report details multiple offerings and donations: In January this year, annadanam, padi pooja, udayasthamaya pooja, and other rituals were funded; in 2017, temple decoration, padi pooja, udayasthamaya pooja, and melam were organised. Funds included Rs 10 lakh for a lift at the annadanam mandapam, Rs 6 lakh for annadanam in January, Rs 10 lakh for Makaravilakku, and in 2017, an Rs 8.2 lakh cheque along with 17 tons of rice and 30 tons of vegetables. In most cases, Potty was not the actual sponsor.

No fixed income

A review of income tax returns from 2017 to 2025 indicates that Potty has no fixed income from business or other sources. This year, Rs 10.85 lakh was deposited into the account of Kamakshi Enterprises (Social and Community Service).