Major breakthrough in Sabarimala gold theft case: SIT recovers stolen gold in Karnataka

Key accused Unnikrishnan Potti and former temple official Murari Babu remain in custody

October 25, 2025

Sabarimala Gold Heist: SIT Seizes Stolen Gold, Key Accused in Custody

SIT examines temple suppliers and employees for possible collusion

In a significant development in the Sabarimala gold theft case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has recovered a substantial quantity of the stolen gold from a jewellery outlet in Bellari, Karnataka.

Authorities said the gold, allegedly handed over by key accused Unnikrishnan Potti to his associate Govardhan, was seized during a raid led by Superintendent of Police Sasidharan. Over 400 grams of gold were recovered from Govardhan’s jewellery store.

In a parallel operation, investigators also seized several gold coins and around Rs 2 lakh in cash from Potti’s residence in Pulimath, Thiruvananthapuram. Potti remains in custody until October 30, as the SIT continues its evidence collection.

The probe has now extended beyond Kerala, with the SIT visiting multiple locations in Bengaluru, Bellari, Hyderabad, and Chennai to trace the flow of the stolen gold and corroborate Potti’s statements. On Saturday morning, a three-member SIT team, along with Potti, conducted searches in Bengaluru.

Investigators are inspecting his residence, the Bellari jewellery outlet, a Hyderabad-based firm involved in repairing the temple’s sanctum door panels, and Chennai-based company Smart Creations, which supplied gold plating materials for Sabarimala temple. The SIT is examining whether the recovered gold matches the quantity allegedly diverted from temple works.

Govardhan, who had earlier supplied gold for plating the temple’s sanctum panels, is also under scrutiny. The SIT is expected to record statements from other Devaswom Board employees involved in the temple renovation to assess the extent of possible internal collusion.

With crucial evidence emerging, investigators believe the latest recovery could provide the missing link in unraveling the high-profile Sabarimala gold heist. So far, the SIT has arrested Potti and former top temple official Murari Babu. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities preparing to make further arrests. The two FIRs filed in connection with the case list a total of 10 accused.

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