The Bengaluru-based businessman had sponsored the gold electroplating of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames at Sabarimala in 2019 and had made several donations to the temple
SIT arrested Unnikrishnan Potty following more than 14 hours of interrogation at the crime branch office in Thiruvananthapuram. Pic/PTI
A local court in Kerala’s Ranni town on Friday granted custody of Unnikrishnan Potty, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold missing case, to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the matter, news agency PTI reported.
The judicial first class magistrate court allowed SIT to retain Potty’s custody until October 30. While being escorted out of the court, the accused told reporters, "Those who trapped me will come before the law.”
A person in the crowd outside the court hurled a footwear at him as he was taken out, PTI reported.
Earlier in the day, SIT arrested Potty, a Bengaluru-based businessman, following more than 14 hours of interrogation at the crime branch office in Thiruvananthapuram. He was initially picked up from his residence in Pulimath, near the state capital, on Thursday.
Potty had sponsored the gold electroplating of the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols and the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames at Sabarimala in 2019 and had made several donations to the temple, PTI reported.
According to the Kerala High Court, the gold-clad plates of the Dwarapalaka idols weighed 42.8 kg when handed over to Potty for electroplating but reduced to 38.2 kg when sent to Chennai-based firm Smart Creations for processing. Following these findings, the high court directed the Travancore Devaswom Board’s (TDB) Vigilance Wing to conduct a preliminary probe, which later led to the formation of SIT.
The agency is investigating two related cases — the missing gold from the Dwarapalaka idols and the loss of gold from the Sreekovil door frames. Potty is the prime accused in both cases, along with some TDB officials and members of the 2019 board.
Sources said Potty was arrested around 2 am and first taken to a government hospital in Thiruvananthapuram for a medical examination before being produced before the court.
During the hearing, the prosecution sought 14-day custody, citing the need for detailed interrogation and collection of evidence from multiple locations, including other states. They also requested a thorough investigation into Smart Creations and the individuals involved in the conspiracy behind the missing gold.
Potty’s counsel opposed the plea, citing concerns about his health. The magistrate, however, accepted the prosecution’s request and granted custody until October 30. He was later shifted to the Pathanamthitta Police camp.
Potty’s lawyer stated that the court had directed daily medical examinations during the custody period.
"We had objected to the prosecution's petition seeking Potty's custody and raised concerns about his health. A bail petition will be moved later," he said. The lawyer added that Potty has agreed to cooperate fully with the investigation but declined further comments.
The Kerala High Court has set a six-week deadline for the SIT to complete its probe.
(With PTI inputs)
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