Gold allegedly stolen from the Sabarimala Temple was used for decorating and renovating flagpoles in other temples, according to a key statement made to investigators by Pankaj Bhandari.
Bhandari, CEO of Chennai-based Smart Creations, reportedly told the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case that gold removed from Sabarimala temple artefacts was diverted by the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potty. The gold was allegedly used for the renovation and gold-plating of flagpoles in temples across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Following this disclosure during Bhandari’s interrogation, the SIT has expanded its probe to multiple temples in these states where Smart Creations had undertaken gold-plating work.
Bhandari further stated that after re-plating the sanctum sanctorum steps of the Sabarimala temple, around 474.9 grams of gold remained. He allegedly handed this surplus gold to Potty instead of returning it to the temple authorities.
Investigators are now examining temples in neighbouring states to verify whether the gold used there matches the chemical composition of the missing Sabarimala gold. The SIT is also planning to analyse the chemical solutions used at Bhandari’s facility to determine whether the extraction process was manipulated to conceal the alleged theft.
Bhandari was arrested in December 2025 for his alleged role in the conspiracy. He was granted statutory bail by a special court in Kollam in March 2026 after the SIT failed to file a chargesheet within the stipulated period.
According to investigators, Bhandari’s firm was entrusted with gold-plating work and is accused of receiving gold bars from Potty and conspiring with a jeweller, Govardhan, to extract and sell the precious metal.