The investigation into the gold theft at the Sabarimala shrine has widened, with the probe now reaching what investigators describe as “the top echelons in Delhi.” According to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala, the ongoing investigation has thrown up leads pointing to two close relatives of a senior national political leader who once wielded considerable influence in the central government. The party leaders like K Surendran has publicly alleged that the trail leads to the Nehru family and Sonia Gandhi.
As per information cited by the BJP, the relatives under scrutiny are linked to an international antiquities business. One of them, said to be based in Italy, is claimed to operate antiquities outlets across multiple countries. Another family member, who is reportedly involved in large-scale real estate dealings in Delhi, is also alleged to have run an antiquities and handicrafts business. Investigators are examining whether these overseas and domestic commercial links have any bearing on the disappearance of sacred objects from the Sabarimala mandir.
At the centre of the probe is the relationship between the main accused, Unnikrishnan Potty, Govardhan, a jeweller based in Bellary, and the relative of Sonia Gandhi. Sources familiar with the investigation say these links, if substantiated, could pave the way for the entry of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the case. Notably, one of the individuals now under the scanner had faced a CBI investigation in 2003 following a complaint alleging the smuggling of antiquities.
That earlier probe was initiated on the directions of the Delhi High Court, acting on a public interest litigation that claimed idols from mandirs in Tamil Nadu were being held in a foreign antiquities store. The investigation, which reportedly involved assistance from Interpol, was later curtailed. Investigators at the time had pointed to political pressure as a factor behind the probe being scaled down. It was also alleged that an antiquities store operating under the name “Ganapathi” existed in a European city, and that Mughal-era paintings were among the items smuggled abroad.
In the current Sabarimala case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) suspects that the same network may have played a role in smuggling sacred objects from the shrine, including the Ayyappa Swamy ‘Prabhamandalam and several precious small murtis. These gold-plated items were installed when the Sabarimala temple was reconstructed roughly a quarter century ago. The Prabhamandalam, a highly revered structure, features intricate depictions of Bhagwan Shiva and Vyali figures. According to the SIT’s assessment submitted to the court, multiple layers of the Prabhamandalam, seven layers in one section and five in another, along with inscriptions depicting the ten avatars of Bhagwan Vishnu and zodiac symbols on the kattila (Door frame), were removed and sold for crores of rupees in the international antiquities market. Investigators suspect that after selling the original layers abroad, replicas made of copper were installed in their place and returned to the shrine.
The High Court had earlier expressed doubts over whether the layers currently installed are original. This question, officials say, will be conclusively addressed through scientific examination at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) laboratory. Media reports had previously claimed that gold from Ayyappa’s Prabhamandalam was stolen and that parts of the domes were loosened and transported to Pampa.
The SIT has informed the court that officials entrusted with protecting Devaswom assets were involved in the theft and robbery of the gold-plated items. Investigators noted that when certain gold-plated components were returned, they did not fit the original pedestal, raising further suspicion that replacements had been installed. The gold-plated door of the sanctum was also changed, reportedly citing damage caused by rodents.
The replacement door was installed in 2019 with sponsorship from Unnikrishnan Potty. So far, the smuggled gold items have not been recovered. While 584.203 grams of gold were seized from two locations, investigators have stated that this gold is not believed to be part of the stolen temple property.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has alleged earlier that gold items worth up to ₹500 crore were smuggled abroad, with claims that some were taken to the ruler of an Arab country. However, political observers note that after Sonia Gandhi’s name was raised by the BJP, the Congress leadership has largely remained silent on the matter, even as the investigation continues to unfold.
