Sabarimala gold theft case: ED summons Unnikrishnan Potti for detailed interrogation

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday summoned Unnikrishnan Potti, the key accused in the Sabrimala gold-theft case, a day after he, along with three other acuused were granted statutory bail by a Special Investigation Team.Potti is accused of misappropriating gold from the Dwarapalaka idols, the sanctum sanctorum, pillars, and door frames of the Sabarimala temple. He was arrested in November last year and remained in judicial custody for over three months.Former TDB administrative officer S Sreekumar and former TDB administrative officer, Murari Babu were also question by ED earlier.Potti worked as a ‘parikarmi' (assistant) to the keezhsanthi (assistant to chief priest) of Sabarimala from 2004 to 2008.In 2014, he came under the scanner of the devaswom vigilance as some dealings done at Sannidhanam without coupons came under suspicion. Though he was asked to leave Sannidhanam, he returned in a couple of years.The bail on Thursday came as the Crime Branch failed to submit the final report within the prescribed time. In its order, the court observed that the right to default bail under Section 167(2) was absolute and could not be denied based on the gravity of the offence.