Sabarimala gold case: SIT questions actor Jayaram in Chennai

Renowned actor Jayaram has been questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged misappropriation of gold from temple artefacts at the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala , said on Friday.

The actor was recently examined at his residence in Chennai, where investigators sought details about his association with Unnikrishnan Potty , the prime accused in the case. According to sources, the SIT asked Jayaram how many times he had participated in pujas conducted by Potty and whether any financial transactions had taken place between them.

The questioning followed the circulation of videos showing Jayaram taking part in a puja organised in Chennai in 2019 by Potty, during which artefacts taken from the Sabarimala temple were reportedly used for gold plating.

The SIT is investigating two separate cases related to the alleged loss of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the doorframes of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple.

Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) administrative officers B Murari Babu and S Sreekumar , who were arrested in connection with the cases, were recently granted statutory bail after the SIT failed to file a chargesheet within the mandatory 90-day period following their arrest.

Sreekumar has not been named as an accused in the second case involving the alleged loss of gold from the doorframes of the Sreekovil.

Unnikrishnan Potty has also secured statutory bail in one of the cases; however, he continues to remain in custody in connection with the other case.

So far, the SIT has arrested 12 people, including two former presidents of the Travancore Devaswom Board, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of gold from temple artefacts.