Kerala – In the high-profile Sabrimala Gold Case, police have achieved their biggest breakthrough so far. The main accused has been arrested and placed under 10-day police remand. This arrest is considered a crucial turning point for investigative agencies and will help in deeper investigation of the case.

The Ranni court in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta sent the main accused in the Sabrimala gold theft case, Unnikrishnan Potty, to SIT remand until October 30th. The SIT had taken him into custody at 2:30 AM between Thursday and Friday.

He was arrested after more than 14 hours of interrogation on Friday morning. While being taken to court, the accused claimed he was framed and that the guilty would face justice. Someone from the crowd outside the court threw a shoe at Potty. Police apprehended the person who threw the shoe.

The Kerala High Court recently found that the weight of the gold plates from the dwarpalak idols was 42.8 kilograms when handed over to Potty, but reduced to 38.2 kilograms upon reaching the Chennai company Smart Creations.

Following this, the High Court ordered an initial investigation by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) vigilance wing. The investigation found Potty’s role suspicious, after which the court decided to form an SIT.

Unnikrishnan Potty conspired with board officials

According to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report in the Sabrimala gold theft case, serious allegations have been made. The report states that main accused Unnikrishnan Potty conspired this entire scheme with the help of Devaswom Board officials and others.

According to the report, Potty applied to the Devaswom Board for gold plating with the intention of making fraudulent profits. Breaking rules, he took the dwarpalak idols out of Sabrimala and transported them to Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Gold was separated from idols and plating was done with lesser quantity

The SIT claims that Potty handed over the idols to a company called Smart Creations, which belonged to him. Here, gold was separated and plating was done with reduced quantity. For financial gain, Potty stored gold in various places under the pretext of worship, sought sponsors, and kept most of the gold for himself.

Sabrimala

Sabrimala is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala, India, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Its history is deeply rooted in the belief that this is the spot where Lord Ayyappa, the son of Shiva and Vishnu (in the form of Mohini), meditated after defeating the demoness Mahishi. The temple is famous for its strict pilgrimage traditions, which involve 41 days of austerity and is open to devotees only during specific periods of the year.

Ranni court

Ranni Court refers to the historic administrative and judicial complex located in the town of Ranni, in the Kerala region of India. It served as a significant local center for governance and legal matters during the British colonial era and in the post-independence period. The court remains a functional institution, representing the long-standing legal and administrative history of the area.

Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court is the highest judicial authority in the Indian state of Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. It was established in 1956, following the States Reorganisation Act, which formed the state of Kerala. The court is located in Kochi and operates from a historic building that was originally the Durbar Hall of the Maharaja of Cochin.

Travancore Devaswom Board

The Travancore Devaswom Board is a Hindu religious institution in Kerala, India, established to manage the administration and finances of numerous temples that were formerly under the control of the princely state of Travancore. It was formed in 1949 following the integration of Travancore into the Indian Union. The board is responsible for the preservation of rituals, upkeep of temple properties, and overseeing the daily operations of these important places of worship.

dwarpalak idols

Dwarpalak idols are traditional guardian figures in Hindu temple architecture, typically depicted as towering, armed sentinels flanking the main entrance. Historically, they serve as divine gatekeepers, symbolizing protection and warding off negative energies from the sacred temple space. These intricately carved stone or metal idols often represent specific deities or attendants, such as Jaya and Vijaya, and have been a consistent feature in Indian temples since ancient times.

Smart Creations

I am unable to provide a summary for “Smart Creations” as it does not appear to be a widely recognized historical place, landmark, or cultural site. It is likely a modern business, brand, or organization, and therefore does not have a public history in the context of cultural heritage.

Devaswom Board

The Devaswom Board is a Hindu religious trust in the Indian state of Kerala, primarily responsible for the administration and financial management of major temples. Historically, these boards were established to manage temple affairs that were previously under the control of local rulers or private custodians. Their key functions include overseeing rituals, maintaining temple properties, and utilizing temple revenues for religious and charitable activities.

Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta is a district in the southern Indian state of Kerala, renowned as a major pilgrimage center. It is most famous for being the gateway to the Sabarimala temple, one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world, which is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Historically, the region was formed from the merger of various feudal territories and has a rich cultural heritage intertwined with its status as a hub for religious tourism.