10 February,2026 05:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Jayaram
Actor Jayaram, who gained acclaim for playing King Rajasekhara in Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1, has been named in the ongoing Sabarimala gold theft case. According to the latest reports, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned him for interrogation. Notably, this comes after Jayaram recorded his statement with a Special Investigation Team (SIT) a few days ago.
The Kochi unit of ED registered an ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) about a month ago.
As per the latest summons, the ED has asked Jayaram to appear on February 17 in the gold theft case associated with Unnikrishnan Potty, the primary accused. According to reports, temple artefacts, including gold-covered copper plates, were used for a private religious ceremony back in 2019, which was allegedly organised by Unnikrishnan Potty.
The ED had reportedly issued summons to 12 people after the gold theft case was lodged in October 2025. Jayaram is allegedly being investigated for his role in the ceremonies and financial connections with the primary accused.
Earlier, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had questioned Jayaram at his Chennai residence. He was asked about his participation in such rituals organised by Potty and how many times he has been a part of them. The case involves two incidents. One is the alleged removal of gold from the Dwarapalaka and the Sreekovil doorframes at the Sabarimala temple. The SIT has arrested 12 people in the matter, including two former Travancore Devaswom Board presidents, B Murari Babu and S Sreekumar.
Although Jayaram hasn't been named as an accused in the case, his questioning is limited to his participation in the puja. During the earlier SIT questioning, his statement was expected to provide additional information.
Unnikrishnan Potty is a Bengaluru-based Malayali businessman as well as a former temple priest. He has been accused of conspiring to steal gold during maintenance works of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. The Kollam Vigilance Court has granted him statutory (default) bail as the SIT failed to file the charge sheet within the stipulated 90-day period. Meanwhile, ED would reportedly be summoning him for further investigation.
