Overview
- Investigators recently questioned prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti as the Special Investigation Team led by ADG H. Venkatesh and officer S. Sasidharan prepares its report for the Kerala High Court.
- The probe focuses on procedural irregularities that sent gold-plated copper panels covering the Dwarapalaka statues to Smart Creations for work in 2019 and again in 2025, and on a 40-year warranty the firm issued in Potti’s name.
- The SIT has enlisted the National Metallurgical Library (CSIR) to carry out material and forensic comparisons between the original 1989 gold covering and the panels returned after electroplating to check for possible pilferage.
- Key investigative material and laboratory findings have been filed in closed cover with the High Court’s Devaswom Bench and remain confidential as the team finalises its status report.
- The outcome will bear on whether temple custodial processes at the Travancore Devaswom Board were bypassed and could prompt further court or administrative action while keeping public and political scrutiny high in Kerala.