Thiruvananthapuram: The case regarding the missing gold plating from the sanctum sanctorum doors and the 'Dwarapalaka' (guardian deity) idols of the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple has sent shockwaves through the film and political industries. In connection with this scam, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday conducted a lengthy interrogation of multilingual actor Jayaram, famous for his role in the movie Kantara.
Why was Actor Jayaram Questioned?
The investigation reached the doorsteps of film stars primarily because of the main accused (A1) in the case, Unnikrishnan Potti, a resident of Bengaluru.
The Incident: In 2019, Unnikrishnan Potti reportedly took the gold plating of the Sabarimala temple to Chennai under the pretext of conducting a puja.
The Connection: Actor Jayaram had participated in a puja ceremony held during that time. Video footage of this event was obtained by the investigation team.
Suspicion: Officials questioned Jayaram to determine if any financial transactions had taken place between him and the accused, Unnikrishnan Potti.
ED Raids in Bengaluru and Other Locations
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken a serious view of the case and initiated a probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). ED officials conducted simultaneous raids on Unnikrishnan Potti's residence in Srirampura, Bengaluru, the Ayyappa temple he managed, and the residences of the trustees. A team of approximately 10 officials seized several crucial documents. Search operations were also carried out in Ballari, Karnataka, and Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
What is the Sabarimala Gold Scam?
The case, which came to light in 2019, involves serious allegations that approximately 4 kg of gold went missing.
Modus Operandi: Unnikrishnan Potti reportedly obtained gold-plated copper sheets from the Devaswom Board under the guise of performing electroplating for the 'Dwarapalaka' idols.
Illegal Sale: It is alleged that this gold was transported without permission to various temples and private residences across South Indian states. The investigation revealed that 475 grams of this gold was sold to a jeweler named Govardhan in Ballari.
Abuse of Influence: Until 2019, Unnikrishnan served as a coordinator for VIP darshan at Sabarimala. Authorities suspect he used this influence and his connections with high-profile individuals to carry out these illegal activities.
Searches in Ballari
The ED team also raided Roddam Jewelers in Ballari. The owner, Govardhan, had already been arrested by the Kerala SIT. Both the ED and the SIT are now working jointly to recover the missing gold and unmask other influential figures involved in this scandal.