Thiruvananthapuram, 17 October(HS): Unnikrishnan Potti, the dubious character who wielded vast influence over the CPI(M)-led Kerala Government, has been arrested by the Special Investigating Team probing the gold heist in Sabarimala Lord Ayyapa Temple.

He is being taken to a court in Pathanamthitta, and the SIT is likely to seek his custody for ten days to interrogate him in police custody. Potti was taken into custody on Thursday in connection with the robbery of gold plated Dwarapalakas (gatekeepers) and door-frame structures outside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

It is believed that Potti has spilt the beans about a larger conspiracy hatched by the CPI(M), the council of ministers, officials of Travancore Devaswom Board and party leaders in the dacoity. He also told the SIT that the entire gold-plated copper panels and the door-frame structures were shared by the party bigwigs, ministers and TDB officials.

Once the team starts grilling Potti in custody, chances are that some of the former presidents themselves may be arrested in connection with he theft. Names of A Padmakumar and N Vasu, both former presidents, figure in the list of persons to be arrested, sources close to the SIT disclosed this morning.

Even as the controversy about the gold-plated Dwarapalakas and door-frame structure rages on, another scam to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore has struck the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa. The Vaajee Vahanam (horse drawn vehicle) of the Lord has been taken away from the temple by the chief priest (Thanthri) to his house. The Vajee Vahanam, artistically crafted from silver and having iridium element worth Rs 1,000 crore in it, is the personal property of the Lord, and the question being asked by devotees is that how the same could be taken away by the Thanthri.

The gold-plated dwarapalakas and door frames are just the tip of the iceberg, and details about more such robberies are certain to hog the limelight in coming days.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manohar Yadavatti