Ballari gold trader arrested in Sabarimala temple gold theft case

BALLARI: A gold trader from Ballari has been arrested in connection with the high-profile gold theft case at Kerala’s Sabarimala temple. Govardhan, owner of Roddam Jewellery in Ballari, was arrested by the Kerala SIT team and produced before a court.

Govardhan is accused of buying stolen gold from Unnikrishnan, a key suspect in the case. The SIT had earlier raided Govardhan’s home and shop, seizing 475 grams of gold and issuing a notice for questioning.

The Sabarimala temple gold theft case involves 4.5 kg of gold stolen from the temple. The Kerala High Court had expressed doubts over the investigation, prompting the SIT to speed up the probe. With Govardhan’s arrest, the number of accused in the case has risen to nine.

Govardhan had stated that he was introduced to Unnikrishnan in 2019, who told him about the temple’s damaged door and offered to supply wood for repair. Govardhan claimed he agreed to help, and they constructed a door in Bengaluru and transported it to Ballari, where it was gold-plated. He denied knowledge of the gold theft and claimed he was cooperating with the investigation.

Govardhan had previously stated that Unnikrishnan had told him the door’s weight was less due to the gold plating process. The SIT has recovered the stolen gold and is continuing its probe. The court has taken Govardhan into judicial custody, and the investigation is ongoing.