TDB vigilance found that Sabarimala gold plating sponsor lacked sustainable income; wants investigation

Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Vigilance in its final report Sabarimala gold lost from Shrekovil (sanctum sanctorum) has said that Bengaluru-based businessman Unnikrishnan Potty, who sponsored many of the gold plating works on the temple, had no permanent source of income.

As part of the preliminary investigation, vigilance examined Potti’s income tax returns for 2017-2025 through his chartered accountant.

Report filed in Kerala High CourtWho ordered preliminary investigation.

Later, on the basis of the report, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed under the direction of the Kerala High Court is investigating.

“No permanent income has been revealed. In 2025-26, ₹10.85 lakh was deposited in his bank account from Kamakshi Enterprises under the category of ‘other social or community service’,” the report said.

Vigilance has recommended a comprehensive investigation into the pot-sponsored operations at Sabarimala.

It found that the repair and gold plating of the Sreekovil doors, which was claimed to have been sponsored by Potty, was actually funded by Ballari-based businessman Govardhanan.

Similarly, the gold plating of the Sreekovil door frame, also known as the potty, was sponsored by another Bengaluru-based businessman, Azikumar, the report said.

Potty also made many donations to the temple.

In January 2025, he sponsored various pujas and decorative works on both sides of the 18th sacred stairs in the temple.

He contributed ₹ 10 lakh for the lift at Annadhana Mandapam and ₹ 6 lakh for Annadhanam (free food service).

Earlier, in 2017, he had donated ₹8.2 lakh to the temple along with 17 tonnes of rice and 30 tonnes of vegetables, the report said.

The vigilance report points out lapses on the part of nine Devaswom officials in handing over the gold plates of the gatekeepers to Potty in 2019.

These include former administrative officer Babu Bruit, former executive officer D Sudish Kumar, former secretary S Jayashree, assistant engineer K Sunil Kumar, administrative officer Sreekar, former Thiruvabharanam commissioners KS Baiju and RJ Radhakrishnan, former executive officer V Rajendprasad and former administrative officer K Rajendran Nair.

TDB Vigilance also found lapses from the 2019 Deputy Devaswom Commissioner (Finance Inspection Wing).

Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed as per the directions of the Kerala High Court to probe the alleged loss of gold from Sabarimala, has started its investigation.

According to sources, the crime branch registered two cases on Saturday, which were later transferred to the SIT.

He said these cases pertain to gold missing from the Dwarapalaka idols and Srikovil door frames.

In both the cases, Potti has been named as the first accused, while several TDB officials have also been charged for alleged lapses.

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