Prime Accused Unnikrishnan Potti Released as Court Grants Statutory Bail in Both Gold Theft Cases
A Vigilance court in Kollam, Kerala, gave statutory bail to Unnikrishnan Potti on February 5, 2026, in the second case connected to the Sabarimala gold theft case.
The case is about missing gold from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames. The court granted bail because the Special Investigation Team (SIT) did not file a chargesheet within 90 days of his arrest. Under the law, this delay makes the accused eligible for statutory bail.
Earlier, Unnikrishnan Potti had already received statutory bail in another related case about missing gold from the Dwarapalaka idol plates. Since he now has bail in both cases, he was released from jail.
He is the main accused in both cases and is the fourth person arrested in this incident to be released.
Unnikrishnan Potti had earlier asked the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) for permission to replate gold-covered temple items. The board approved this in 2019. The items were then sent to a Chennai company called Smart Creations for gold replating. The SIT says some gold was diverted during this process.
The court also extended the custody of the temple’s chief priest, Kandararu Rajeevaru, who appeared through video call. His bail request will be heard on February 9.
Another accused, former TDB official K. S. Baiju, has also asked for statutory bail in both cases. His bail request will be heard on February 11.
The Kerala High Court had ordered the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the Sabarimala gold Theft case. Recently, the court said it is satisfied with the progress of the investigation, even though some accused persons received statutory bail because the chargesheets were not filed within the required time.
The High Court also clarified that getting statutory bail after the mandatory 90-day period does not weaken the case or help the accused escape responsibility.
The court made it clear that no accused person will be allowed to go scot-free.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also investigating a related money laundering case.