Shocking Criminal Conspiracy at Sabarimala: Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, P.S. Prashanth, Unnikrishnan Potti and Murari Babu Named as Accused; Kilograms of Gold Allegedly Smuggled Out, SIT Report Says
Kochi: Shocking details regarding an alleged large-scale fraud involving the gold-plated structures at Sabarimala and a subsequent criminal conspiracy to conceal the crime have emerged through a report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Kerala High Court.
The SIT has named former Travancore Devaswom Board president P.S. Prashanth, late former Executive Officer Murari Babu, Unnikrishnan Potti, Tantri Kandararu Rajeevar, advocate K. Ajikumar, Thiruvabharanam Commissioner Rajilal, and Smart Creations owner Pankaj Bhandari as accused in the case. According to investigators, a fresh conspiracy was orchestrated in 2025 to cover up a major gold theft that allegedly took place in 2019.
Two criminal cases, numbered 3700 and 3701, have been registered in connection with the incident. The investigation into Crime No. 3701, which concerns the removal and re-gilding of the Dwarapalaka sculptures, has been completed. Reports indicate that a charge sheet has been prepared and is expected to be filed before the Kollam Vigilance Court in the coming days. The accused face serious charges, including criminal conspiracy, forgery, and breach of trust.
The SIT informed the court that the developments in 2025 were a continuation of a major gold theft that occurred at Sannidhanam in 2019. Investigators allege that several kilograms of gold were stripped from gold sheets donated for Sabarimala by businessman Vijay Mallya using a chemical stripping solution. The alleged operation took place at Smart Creations in Chennai, after which the panels were returned with only a minimal layer of gold plating.
To conceal the fraud, the accused allegedly created documents claiming a 40-year warranty for the gold work. However, according to the report, the inadequate gold coating resulted in copper layers becoming visible in less than a year. Fearing exposure, those involved reportedly sought to remove and re-plate the structures in 2025.
The investigation claims that the same "crime syndicate" responsible for the alleged 2019 theft was behind the 2025 conspiracy. Unnikrishnan Potti is said to have cultivated close ties with the new Devaswom Board and secured approval to transport the gold panels back to Chennai. While he reportedly handled the transportation personally in 2019, officials were allegedly used to carry out the process in 2025.
The report further states that former Devaswom Board president P.S. Prashanth was fully aware of the earlier irregularities and assisted in concealing them. However, the SIT has not yet moved to arrest him. Observers suggest that this may be because no additional gold loss occurred during the 2025 operations, unlike the alleged theft in 2019. The court has noted that decisions regarding arrests remain within the discretion of the investigating officer.
Beyond the seven individuals already named, the probe is expanding to examine the possible involvement of several others, including Tantri Mahesh Mohanar, former Devaswom Board member Sundaresan, secretary Bindu, Thiruvabharanam Commissioner Sunil, Executive Officer O.G. Biju, and Bellary-based gold trader Govardhan. Investigators say decisions on naming them as accused will depend on the availability of concrete evidence.
Tests conducted at a central laboratory in Jamshedpur have reportedly established the exact quantity of gold that went missing. However, officials have indicated that these figures will be disclosed only when the final charge sheet is submitted. The court is said to be treating the alleged misappropriation of gold donated by devotees with utmost seriousness.
The High Court is scheduled to hear the case again on July 20. Before that, the SIT aims to file the charge sheet in the Kollam Vigilance Court. Further arrests and significant developments in the investigation are expected in the coming days.