Special Investigation Team Recovers Stolen Sabarimala Temple Gold from Karnataka Jeweller

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has recovered over 400 grams of gold from a jewellery store in Bellari, Karnataka, marking a significant breakthrough in the Sabarimala gold theft case.

Thiruvananthapuram authorities reported that the gold was seized during a raid led by Superintendent of Police Sasidharan at Govardhan's jewellery outlet.

According to investigators, the recovered gold was allegedly transferred by key suspect Unnikrishnan Potti to his associate Govardhan.

In a concurrent operation, officials confiscated several gold coins and approximately Rs 2 lakh in cash from Potti's residence located in Pulimath, Thiruvananthapuram.

The SIT continues to gather evidence with Unnikrishnan Potti, who will remain in custody until October 30.

The investigation has expanded beyond Kerala's borders, with the team conducting operations across multiple cities including Bengaluru, Bellari, Hyderabad and Chennai to track the movement of the stolen gold and verify Potti's testimony.

On Saturday morning, a three-member SIT team accompanied by Potti visited Bengaluru as part of their ongoing investigation efforts.

Authorities are conducting searches at his Bengaluru residence, the Bellari location where the gold was allegedly sold, a Hyderabad firm that had performed repairs on the temple's sanctum door panels, and Chennai-based Smart Creations, which had provided gold plating materials for the Sabarimala temple.

Investigators are now working to determine whether the recovered gold corresponds to the quantity diverted from temple renovation projects.

Govardhan, who previously supplied gold for plating the temple's sanctum panels, is also under investigation.

The SIT plans to record statements from additional Devaswom Board employees involved in temple renovation work to assess the full extent of internal collaboration in the theft.

With significant evidence emerging, investigators believe this recovery could provide crucial insights into solving the high-profile Sabarimala gold heist case.

To date, the SIT has arrested Potti, former top Sabarimala temple official Murari Babu, and is proceeding with additional arrests as their two FIRs list a total of 10 accused individuals.