Unnikrishnan Potty, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold heist case, has reportedly stated that many people, including senior Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) officials, have benefited from the Sabarimala gold heist.
Unnikrishnan Potty has reportedly told the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case that around 15 individuals, including senior officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), were involved in the scam.
SIT officials interrogated Potty at the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram for several hours on Saturday. It was reported that Potty informed the SIT that the conspiracy spanned both within and outside Kerala. Potty also reportedly claimed he did not gain any financial benefit from the gold extracted from the Dwarapalaka idols and ornamental copper plates, alleging that others exploited the gold’s value and used him as a pawn. While police suspect this could be an attempt to shift blame, the investigation will now focus on those he has named. Suspended Devaswom official Murari Babu is also expected to be questioned soon, it is learnt.
It is learnt that the investigation team will take Potty to Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Sabarimala, and the residences of his sister and associate, Vasudevan, for collecting evidence in the coming days.
During a search conducted at Potty’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, the investigation team seized gold, cash, and documents. The investigating officers began the search at Potty’s residence in Pulimath, Kilimanoor, on Saturday afternoon. The search continued till Sunday morning. Documents related to Unnikrishnan Potty’s property transactions since 2020 were also seized.