Let's talk: editor@tmv.in
SIT conducts searches in Bengaluru, Ballari in Sabarimala gold theft case

SIT conducts searches in Bengaluru, Ballari in Sabarimala gold theft case

Yellarthi Chennabasava
October 26, 2025

The investigation into the missing gold from Sabarimala temple took a significant turn on Saturday, as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducted searches in Bengaluru and Ballari.

The SIT searched the apartment of the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potty , in Bengaluru’s Srirampura area. Potty, who was earlier a priest at a local Ayyappa temple, was brought to Bengaluru on Friday as part of the ongoing probe.

At the same time, the team searched a jewellery shop in Ballari owned by Govardhan , who had helped fund the gold-plating work for the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frame , which was officially sponsored by Potty. During the search, officials seized several gold bars. It is still unclear whether the seized gold came from the gold-clad copper plates of the Dwarapalaka idols that were sent for electroplating in 2019. Govardhan has already given his statement to the SIT.

Next, Potty is expected to be taken to Smart Creation in Chennai , the company that carried out the electroplating work, to examine more evidence.

The Ranni Judicial First Class Magistrate Court has granted the SIT custody of Potty until October 30, giving investigators time to complete the collection of evidence.

According to the SIT, Potty had received the gold-plated Dwarapalaka plates from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) in 2019 for electroplating. He is accused of moving these items across various temples and private residences in South India without permission , leading to the disappearance of some gold.

Potty is facing two separate cases : one for the missing gold from the Dwarapalaka plates and another for the gold from the Sreekovil door frames. In connection with the first case, former Sabarimala administrative officer B. Murari Babu has also been arrested.

The SIT is continuing its investigation to track the movement of temple gold and determine whether it was misappropriated or sold. Officials hope to complete the evidence collection before Potty’s custody ends.