SIT Team Probing Sabarimala Gold Theft Recovers Items From Jeweller: Report

Last Updated:October 25, 2025, 10:44 IST

Potti, posing as a Sabarimala priest, sold over 400 grams of gold to Govardhan.

Devotees stand in a queue to offer their prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. (IMAGE: PTI)

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the Sabarimala gold theft has recovered over 400 grams of gold and gold coins from a Ballari-based jeweller, officials said on Friday.

Cash worth around ₹2,00,000 was also seized from the home of the prime suspect, Unnikrishnan Potti, in Pathanamthitta.

The SIT operation, led by SP Sasidharan, traced the stolen gold to jeweller Govardhan, owner of Roddam Jewellery in Ballari.

According to Mathrubhumi News, who first reported the development, said citing authorities that the gold was sold to Govardhan by Unnikrishnan Potti, who is currently in SIT custody.

Investigators said Potti and Govardhan had developed a friendship at the Sri Rampura Ayyappa Swamy temple, where Potti, presenting himself as a Sabarimala priest, participated in rituals and later sold the stolen gold.

Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se...Read More

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se...

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